Mýa has accomplished something that most adults won’t even try: she has managed to remain celibate for seven consecutive years, and she believes she has benefited in a myriad of ways from abstinence.
On the “On the Way Up with Angela Yee” podcast, Mýa told the host that refraining from sexual relations for this extended period resulted in invaluable self-revelation.
“Just doing without, it shifted my mindset,” Mýa shared of her journey. “It was no longer a focus. The rush to be in a relationship, the rush to be married, the rush to be in something because that’s what you’re taught to do — to have kids or procreate. And I think there’s a lot of pressure on women to be able to do that.”
The 44-year-old singer, who was born in Washington D.C. as Mya Marie Harrison, conveyed how “beautiful” it is to love yourself before trying to be loved by someone else.
“Love is beautiful, and I think the world always needs more of it, but I think you must start with yourself,” she said. “And I have to start with self always, versus expecting from other sources. So it was just reconditioning.
Mýa added that the process of downsizing her public persona was out of necessity since she has been considered a sex symbol since she was an ingenue in the business.
“I think it’s something that was necessary because it’s a very spiritual thing. And you must be very selective if you want better results. That self-accountability started with me by shutting that part of my life off,” she said.
“But I think a lot of things that are sacred should just remain private,” the “My Love Is Like…Wo” artist continued, “for me until, of course, I’m solid, and I’m ready and the foundation of us is together, and even then, it’s a risk. So, I don’t really play with that part of my life publicly.”
