Emma Watson returns to social media with very personal essay and says ‘I stepped away from life’

Emma Watson has updated fans on what she's been up to for the past few years after taking a step back from the public eye - with her making no major film or TV appearances since last year's Harry Potter reunion and 2019's Little Women.

In a recent essay posted to Instagram, the actor gave an update on why she 'stepped away from life'.

The former Harry Potter star withheld no details as she revealed what she'd gotten up to over the past few years, which included everything from learning to surf to ripping out a fingernail.

Watson, who turned 33 yesterday (15 April), was feeling reflective after her birthday.

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In the essay, she writes: "This is 33. Holy moly. Before 29 I hadn’t even heard of a Saturn Return as a concept.

"Let’s just say that now I am well acquainted. I stepped away from my life – I learned to surf (badly), I rode some horses (that went better), I did a lot of therapy (YESS therapy!)."

For those who aren't acquainted with the astrological concept of a Saturn return, it means when Saturn moves all the way through the zodiac to return to the position it was in when you were born, which takes place roughly every 29 years.

It's meant to be a time for maturity and self-reflection.

Watson continued: "My brother and I figured out how to make a gin using recycled wine grapes!? (@renaisspirits) I adopted Sofia in Mexico, who seems to be an angel not a dog.

"We filmed a Harry Potter reunion. I said goodbye to my Grandma and Grandpa. I retraced my steps. I started a women’s environmental investment fund.

"I played Pickleball with @sugarrayleonard and I even played golf and then tried to make all of my girlfriends learn too."

Not all the experiences she went through sounded particularly pleasant or exciting admittedly.

Watson admitted: "I cut my thumb nail off on both hands trying to cook for myself and then was only able to do things one handed for months."

Ouch.

HBO

Expanding on what she'd experienced in the last few years, the Little Women actress wrote: "I felt really sad and really pissed off about a lot of things.

"I learned more about love and being a woman."

Her hiatus from public life came around the same time as lockdown, and she makes reference to being in a 'Covid cocoon'.

Watson writes: "It took me three years but I have finally figured out a daily practice and can actually keep it for more than a few days in a row. I burned some things down. I eat green things now!

"I got obsessed with making Squarespace websites. I directed my first commercial.

"These pictures were actually taken on my birthday last year, but I wasn’t ready to come out of my Covid Cocoon. Today I feel [butterfly emoji]."

Watson's 70 million followers were delighted to see an update from the British actor and shared their love for her in the comments section.

Fellow former child star Vanessa Hudgens wrote: "What a goddess," while Nicola Adams commented: "Life is a journey."

It is indeed.

Just look at how Watson managed to pack into three years.

Anybody else feel slightly unaccomplished since COVID?