Blake Shelton Declares He Is Making 'Big, Big Changes' Post-'The Voice' Life

When Blake Shelton announced his decision to step away from "The Voice" two years ago, many fans speculated that he had a bigger plan in the works.

The country music star, known for his laid-back charm and quick wit, had become a fixture on the singing competition show, winning over millions of viewers across 23 seasons.

Blake Shelton is quick to credit "The Voice" with having a profound impact on his life and career, but what is he doing now that his time on the show is over?

Over the course of his tenure, Shelton mentored dozens of aspiring singers, became the winningest coach in the show’s history, and even met his wife, Gwen Stefani, on set.

"It was the biggest, most important career move of my life," he told PEOPLE Magazine. "I'll always be grateful for that, and everybody that worked at that show helped me get where I am."

Although Blake Shelton has a natural talent for television, he has consistently emphasized that Hollywood was never his end goal. His charm and relatability may have made him a standout on the small screen, but the Oklahoma native has always stayed deeply connected to his country music roots and his preference for a quieter life away from the limelight.

"I really, and I mean really, indulged in not being on a television show anymore," he reflected on his last couple of years. "It's just been great for me to get back in the mode of, 'Hey, I'm a country singer first.' That's what I left Ada, Oklahoma when I was a teenager to go be. I never want to get that far away from what I feel like I meant to do ever again."

While Blake Shelton hasn’t been completely out of the spotlight—he partnered with his close friend Carson Daly on the game show "Barmageddon"—the 48-year-old country superstar has embraced a slower, more intentional pace. At home, he’s focused on spending quality time with his wife, Gwen Stefani, and his three stepsons as he maps out the next chapter of his career.

"The last couple of years, especially since I've retired from 'The Voice,' I've just kind of been trying to be very mindful of the next thing that I do, be thoughtful about it and be sure that I'm not just doing things because I'm on the hamster wheel anymore," Shelton told PEOPLE. "It happens, and before you know it, you go, 'My God, where have the last 10 years gone?'"

The break from his usual routine, combined with these "big, big changes," has reignited his passion for country music and fueled his excitement for what lies ahead.

After 25 successful years with Warner Music Nashville, Blake Shelton made a significant career move earlier this year by signing with BMG.

"It was just time for a new chapter, honestly. And I'm ready for it," Shelton, who dropped his newest single, "Texas" on Thursday, November 14, said. "When we just started down this road, the song just jumped out to me. There was something familiar about it — and then something that felt like a step forward at the same time."

"It's always in the back of my mind: What's something I haven't done that's not going to make people go, 'What does he think he's doing?'" he added.

The track could end up being his 30th No. 1.

As he prepares to record a new album—playfully noting, "They expect a record at some point!"—he’s ensuring clear boundaries are in place to maintain his balance.

"It probably drives my manager and people that work with me crazy. I say, 'Alright, y'all book me here to do things, but leave my Fourth of July alone.' And when it's fall, I don't want to be doing stuff. That's my time to be," Shelton said. "Of course, there's always exceptions, but for the most part I'm able to write my own schedule, and it feels good because after all these years of doing what I do, I know the times that I get super frustrated, and so I do protect that."

Shelton is also teaming up with Taylor Sheridan for a new singing competition series, "The Road."

Blake Shelton cherishes his time at home, where his favorite moments are spent watching football and enjoying the company of his family.

"I'm still a huge Arizona Cardinals fan. Last Sunday, I told Gwen, 'I'm having the best day.' We had family over, cooked a good meal," he told the magazine. "My team won. It was like, 'I want to have this day every day for the rest of my life — just laid-back family and watching football."

Blake Shelton remains one of country music's biggest superstars, but as he puts it these days, "I'm living a pretty simple life."