AceShowbiz - Sofia Vergara has had a "very difficult" year. The 51-year-old actress confirmed her split from Joe Manganiello in July and Sofia has admitted that it's been a "very interesting" time for her.

"I've had a very interesting year. I don't want to say 'bad' or anything like that, but it's been very interesting and very difficult," she told PEOPLE.

Sofia observed that the long-running SAG strike has also created a "weird, weird year." She shared, "I went through a divorce this year, the SAG strike that went on for so long. I've seen my friends struggle - some had to take their kids out of their schools or had problems with their mortgages, so it's been a weird, weird year."

Despite this, Sofia remains optimistic about her future. The actress said, "It's not like it's bad. I think all the things are resolving, everything is going to be okay and I'm very excited for next year."

Sofia and Joe, 46, announced their split earlier this year. However, the celebrity duo insisted at the time that they still "love and care" for each other. They said in a statement, "We have made the difficult decision to divorce. As two people that love and care for one another very much, we politely ask for respect of our privacy at this time as we navigate this new phase of our lives."

A source subsequently claimed that Sofia and Joe were "always very different." The couple tried to make their romance work, but they've always been distinctly different characters. The insider told PEOPLE, "Sofia is down to earth and fun to be around when she is stress-free, but as a career woman, she also cares what people think about her, and revels in what makes her a major star."