Barrymore, 37, who went on a solo journey to India after wrapping her 2009 directorial debut, said she panicked when the time came to give up her career since she has been working on movies continuously since her childhood, reported Daily Express.
"It freaked me out. I was afraid to let go. But with great risk comes great reward. We always wonder (when single), 'Where is this person? Oh my God, I'm lonely; what's my future?' But eventually you'll meet somebody, and this time will be gone. And you will kick yourself for not enjoying it. For me, that year was a great investment. It made me realise, I'm ready for something different," she said.
The 'Charlie's Angels' star is convinced that the life-changing trip also made her better prepared for her new role as a wife and mother after marrying Will Kopelman and giving birth to a daughter, Olive.
"Had I not carved out that time for myself, I don't know if I'd be as happy trying to figure out what makes my husband happy and how to be a good mom. I needed to be on my own and do my own thing."