Kelly Clarkson is taking a step back to look at her split with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, calling the breakup “incredibly sad” but also “freeing.”

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe released October 21, the “Since U Been Gone” singer explained that while writing her new song “Lighthouse,” she initially saw herself as the lighthouse until something clicked.

“Then I figured out, while writing it, no one’s the lighthouse. The lighthouse is what we never got to,” Clarkson said. “We just couldn’t get there…we’re never gonna get there. We were in the dark, lost at sea, treading water, couldn’t find each other, no matter how hard you swam.”

The 41-year-old recalled finally saying, “I can’t fix this,” adding that there was “no amount of hope” that could mend the relationship.

“It actually is freeing,” she said. “It’s incredibly sad, and it’s a dark place — fetal position on the floor crying — and there’s so much loss with that, and I never experienced grief like that.”

Clarkson added that, despite the tears, she felt free to be able to say, “We got to let each other go. This is not working. This is not going to pan out, and it’s not working for either of us.”

As a parent, Clarkson explained that having “two little kids watching” the separation added another layer of hardship.

“This is what we’re going to set the bar for,” Clarkson said. “I don’t want my kids to be in this (kind of) relationship. I want them to aim higher.”

Kelly Clarkson is setting the record straight about her comments regarding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s romance.

During The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (Oct. 19), the pop star and TV personality joked about the NFL’s constant coverage of the couple’s budding relationship.

“It’s not hilarious how it is literally taking over the NFL for people that like watching sports now,” Clarkson told her guest, Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang. “It’s like you’re watching Housewives while you’re watching.”

She added, “They’re just talking about gossip things and you’re like, ‘So, what about the play?’”

On Saturday (Oct. 21), the “Stronger” singer took to social media to respond to claims that she was bashing Swift and Kelce’s relationship.

“Just a quick public service announcement everybody since this seems to be breaking news…” Clarkson began her message on Instagram. “Do not fall prey to clickbait, trash reporters twisting the facts again. I did not bash anyone’s romance. I am pro romance. Yay romance.”

She continued, “Did y’all even watch what I actually said on my show? I just said I want to watch football when I tune in to watch football. Seems an appropriate request. Okay, carry on, and GO COWBOYS!”

Both Swift and Kelce made surprise cameos during the season 49 premiere of SNL on Oct. 14. The pop star helped introduce musical guest Ice Spice and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end appeared in a skit that parodied the NFL’s Swift-centric coverage of her recent attendance streak at his games.