Cate Blanchett says taking time out from her career has been a "luxury and a necessity".
Cate Blanchett
The 47-year-old actress took a break after adopting her daughter Edith and has enjoyed having a long period of quality time with the little girl and her sons, Dashiell, 15, Roman, 12, and Ignatius, eight, who she has with husband Andrew Upton.
She said: "We adopted our little girl 17 months ago so that's been my focus really. It's been really important to make sure everyone is all together, on the right ship, and taken care of...
"There was a time when I was doing things back to back - working, running the company with Andrew - and it all felt very squeezed, but I was afraid to slow down and say yes to what I really wanted.
"What has been great has been saying yes to slowing down, to reclaiming time for myself and my family. It has been a luxury and a necessity."
However, the 'Carol' actress isn't giving up work for good as she needs the "mental space" away from her hectic family life.
She added: "It doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to going back to work. In a way, that's a mental space for me away from the need or the cacophony of kids. Which I absolutely love."
Meanwhile, though the blonde beauty admits there is "pressure" in getting ready for red carpet events because of the scrutiny female stars are under, she finds ways to ensure she still has fun.
She told Red magazine: "Everyone talks about the pressure of getting ready for an event because the scrutiny has increased to such a ridiculous degree. And we're all party to it.
"But I absolutely enshrine the right to have a good time, to enjoy getting dressed up so it doesn't feel like a job.
"I tell myself I'm excited. I tell myself they're taking pictures but no one is ever going to see them. I just claim the space, I think."
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