Jessica Simpson 'Absolutely' Never Thought She'd Be a Single Mom at 45: 'Not How I Planned It' (Exclusive)

Jessica Simpson may not have anticipated the twists and turns her life has taken in the past year, but she's working her way through it.

The singer and actress, 45, and husband Eric Johnson, 46, announced their split after 10 years of marriage earlier this year. Since then, Simpson has opened up about this unexpected time in her life and how she's moving through it.

"I feel like we get caught up in numbers," Simpson tells PEOPLE of focusing too much on age at times. "Like, 'Oh, at 45, would I think that I would be single again as a mom of three?' Absolutely not. That was not how I planned it. But it's just a part of what destiny holds for me."

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Part of this new era in her life has meant that Simpson is leaning into her creative side. Not only did she release Nashville Canyon parts I and II this year — her first musical release in 15 years — but she's also channeling her feelings into her Jessica Simpson Collection. Her latest launch is Mystic Canyon, a new fragrance, which she says reflects this time of "self-discovery" as a single woman.

"This time in my life, I was meant to be independent in my self-discovery without anybody else's critiques, judgments or opinions," she tells PEOPLE. "It was really about coming home to myself, being proud of that person, coming from a place of being just very honest and very vulnerable, and putting that into melodic form, but also using it in the brand. It has been really empowering."

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Simpson confirmed to PEOPLE in January that she and Johnson were going their separate ways.

"Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage," she said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family." 

The two, who share children Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, 13, Ace Knute, 12, and Birdie Mae, 6, met through a mutual friend in 2010 and were engaged that November after six months of dating. Now, Simpson is focused on her children, her career and, most importantly, herself.

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The Dukes of Hazzard star told PEOPLE in early October that even when it comes to her fashion choices these days, she's thinking of just herself.

“I wear life with more confidence," she said. "I feel better now than I ever did in my 20s. I think going through life and having all the opinions thrown at you, I’m at the place where only my opinion matters. And, of course, my kids. I don’t want to embarrass my children!"

As for her future romantic endeavors, well, she's keeping an open mind and seeing where life takes her. She even told Extra at the Oct. 16 premiere of All's Fair, in which she has a cameo, that a certain group of men is piquing her interest right now.

“I think I'm into younger men at the moment. When you're newly separated... I feel like younger guys kinda like the confidence of an older woman, I'm discovering," she said. “I am having fun!”