Gwyneth Paltrow finally explains the term ‘conscious uncoupling’

‘I wanted to turn my divorce into a positive’

Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin separated three years ago, putting an end to their 10-year marriage.

Announcing the news back in March 2014, the couple released a joint statement on Gwyneth’s website Goop.

‘It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate. We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate.’

The statement continued: ‘We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been. We are parents first and foremost, to two incredibly wonderful children and we ask for their and our space and privacy to be respected at this difficult time.

‘We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner.’

The statement went viral, not just out of shock that one of our favourite A-list couples had split but also for coining a new phrase, ‘conscious uncoupling’.

In a recent interview with Net-a-Porter’s The Edit, Gwyneth opened up about the term and explained her thoughts behind it and how she has remained friends with Chris Martin.

‘People are coming around. I know it’s a dorky term, but it’s very worthwhile. I’m always the person who gets shit at first, but then later people say, “Hey, maybe that’s a good idea.”’

She continued: ‘I wanted to turn my divorce into a positive. What if I didn’t blame the other person for anything and held myself 100% accountable? What if I checked my own shit at the door and put my children first. And reminded myself about the things about my ex-husband that I love, and fostered the friendship? Once you get over the idea that you need external reinforcement to feel good, life opens up in an incredible way.’