Christina Aguilera was looking for a 'change' before she announced her marriage split.

The 'Fighter' singer - who filed for divorce from husband Jordan Bratman last month ' hinted she was finding their relationship difficult and was looking for some excitement in her life.

She said: "My life is cyclical. I'm not a nine-to-five woman who has the same kind of lifestyle for years on end. I couldn't do it. I need the spontaneity, that thrill of change. That's part of how I get inspired."

The 29-year-old singer ' who has a two-year-old son Max with her estranged husband ' also revealed she couldn't wait to get back into the studio to vent her emotions about her recent woes.

She told Redbook magazine: ' want to pour my heart out and be able to release anything I'm going through'.

Meanwhile, Christina's friend Nicole Richie has praised the singer as an 'incredible' mother.

Nicole ' who has daughter Harlow, two and 11-month-old son Sparrow with her rocker fiance Joel Madden ' said she has enormous 'respect' for the singer's parenting skills.

She said: "It's very clear through Christina's music what a strong woman she is...But to watch her as a mother only skyrockets the respect I have for her. She is the woman who's recording until 4 a.m. and up at seven to be with her son. Her dedication to Max is incredible."