Ellen Pompeo is opening up about her decision to leave "Grey's Anatomy" in the show's 19th season.
Appearing on "The Drew Barrymore Show" Tuesday, the actress -- who has been on "Grey's" since it premiered in 2005, playing Meredith Grey for more than 400 episodes -- said that while she feels "super happy" to be stepping back, the show "has been incredible to me and I've loved a lot of the experience."
MORE: Ellen Pompeo thanks 'Grey's Anatomy' fans in People's Choice Awards acceptance speech"Listen, it's just, I gotta mix it up a little bit," she continued. "I'm 53. My brain is like scrambled eggs. I gotta do something new...."
Pompeo added, "I mean, 19 years, that's more than people keep their kids in their house. Like, people keep their kids in their house until they're 18 and then they send them off to college. So this is like me like going away to college."
The actress said she's going to focus on spending time with her family, including husband Chris Ivery and their three children, as well as starring in a limited series for Hulu this spring.
MORE: Ellen Pompeo sends message to 'Grey's Anatomy' fans ahead of departure"I have a lot that I'm doing. I have three kids and so I take care of them, and it's really important for me to be around for them and be more present for them," she said.
She also teased her upcoming show as "a very cool, kind of crazy, true story."
Pompeo's final appearance on "Grey's Anatomy" as a main cast member is set for Feb. 23 -- but she has confirmed fans will see her again in the season 19 finale. She will also stay on as executive producer and continue lending her voice to the show's narration.
