Hillary Clinton spoke about the 'devastating' election aftermath and whether she expects to run for office again

But during an interview on Thursday with New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof at the Women in the World Summit, Clinton spoke candidly about several topics, including her loss to President Donald Trump — which she attributed in part to Russia's interference and an entrenched culture of misogyny — how she's coping, and what she has planned.

She said a lot of her work on her forthcoming book involved her "wrestling with" misogyny playing a large role in her loss.

"I think in this election there was a very real struggle between what is viewed as change that is welcomed and exciting to so many Americans, and change which is worrisome and threatening to so many others," Clinton said. "Layer on the first woman president over that, and I think some people, women included, had real problems."

Clinton, like many of those who voted for her, didn't expect to lose the election.

"I thought I was going to win, and I had a really good transition operation going," she said at the summit. "Remember that point in one of the debates when my opponent was ridiculing me yet again for having prepared for the debate? And I said, 'Yes, I did prepare for the debate, and I'll tell you something else I prepared for: being president.'"

All things considered, Clinton said she was doing "pretty well."

"The aftermath of the election was so devastating, and everything that has come to light in the days and weeks since have been also troubling," Clinton said. "I just had to make up my mind that yes, I was going to get out of bed, and yes, I was going to go for a lot of long walks in the woods."

Clinton said she had spent the past few months spending time with her family and friends "who have rallied around me in an amazing way."

"I will put it this way: As a person, I'm OK. As an American, I'm pretty worried," Clinton said. "So I think I'll take off my person hat and put on my citizen hat, and there's a lot to be concerned about."

Clinton said she was focused on "trying to find some interesting things to do" that would allow her to use her talents for good, including working to get more women into politics, helping Democrats take back control of Congress, and supporting organizations that help kids who have faced difficulties.

"I am passionate about the unfinished business of the 21st century, the rights and opportunities for women and girls, so I think there's a lot to do," she said.

When asked whether she would run for office again, Clinton responded with a shudder. She laughed off the follow-up question of whether she'd ever be "Mayor Clinton."

"I am looking at doing interesting things. I don't think that will include ever running for office again, as interesting as I find that to be, because I think you can have a big influence," she said. "But I think there are lots of ways to make a difference, to work in all sectors of our society, the for-profits, the not-for-profits, looking for ways that you can help people live their own lives better, tell their own stories better."

Watch the full interview:

Clinton's full interview at the 2017 Women in the World Summit