Cameron Diaz joined Gwyneth Paltrow for the latest episode of In Goop Health: The Sessions, where she opened up about how she found “peace” and motherhood

When Cameron Diaz decided to retire at what was seemingly the height of her career, it came as a surprise. But the star has said it was the best move for her.

Cameron explained to Gwyneth Paltrow in the latest episode of In Goop Health: The Sessions, that her devotion to her career meant that she never made “any space for [her] personal life.”

She explained: “I just decided that I wanted different things out of my life. I had gone so hard for so long, working, making films and it’s such a grind. When you’re making a movie—it’s a perfect excuse—they own you. You’re there for 12 hours a day for months on end and you have no time for anything else.”

The Charlie’s Angels star added that her life in the spotlight was draining, something that Gwyneth said she could “understand.”

“It’s so intense to work at that level and be that public and put yourself out there. There’s a lot of energy coming at you at all times when you’re really visible as an actor and doing press and putting yourself out there,” she shared, adding that she is particularly “sensitive” to the “energies” of other people.

Cameron said that when she turned 40, she decided to find herself and become “self-sufficient” again.

When Gwyneth asked what it felt like to leave her acting past behind, Cameron responded, “Like peace. A peace in my soul because I was finally taking care of myself.”

She credited husband Benji Madden with guiding her through what she described as a “painful” journey of self-discovery.

“I broke that mirror about a thousand times when he put it up to me. I was like, ‘I hate you… don’t show me that,’ and he was like, ‘Look, bitch. Look’,” she laughed. “Thank God for him.”

Cameron, 47, and Benji married in 2015 and lead a quiet life. They have a 7-month-old daughter named Raddix Madden