“This summer, I had to be like, ‘I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that,’” she told Interview magazine in a profile published in October. “You have to be complete, if you want something that’s more complete. You have to be good on your own. I thought I learned that, but I didn’t. And then, this summer, I had to be like, ‘I need to go off and be on my own. I want to prove to myself that I can do that.’”

Without naming names, the “Ain’t Your Mama” singer added, “Being in a relationship doesn’t define me. I can’t be looking for happiness in other people. I have to have happiness within myself.”

To look back at more of Jennifer and Ben’s relationship, keep reading.