Canadian actress Rachel McAdams is glad she trusted her gut feeling and temporarily retired from Hollywood almost 20 years ago.

“I felt guilty for not taking the opportunity that was offered to me,” the 44-year-old told the US fashion magazine “Bustle” about her two-year break from shooting in 2006 and 2007. After film hits like ” Girls Club – Be careful, snappy!” and “Like a Single Day” (both 2004) McAdams is said to have received offers for major film roles, but all of them turned them down.

The actress explained that she was aware of her enviable situation at the time. “But I also knew it didn’t quite fit my personality and what I needed to stay healthy.”

During her hiatus, which she spent back in her native Canada, McAdams said she kept asking herself if she was throwing away her chances. “It took me years to understand what I was doing intuitively.”