35 highs and lows of living alone

“Being alone is not the same as being lonely” writes Reader’s Digest reader Lee from South Australia. Her wise words were just one of the comments we received on this fascinating topic. Read on for the rest…

What I love about being alone is that I’m able to do what I want to do. I hate it most when I’ve done everything for the day and ran out of things to do, which eventually makes me bored to death. I hate it also when I feel so lonely that makes me cry really hard. – Iris

I love everything about living alone – making choices to clean or not, never being disturbed from sleep by bathroom noises or footsteps. Being able to buy anything and everything without having to explain the purchases to someone. Frankly, in my humble opinion there’s no other way to live! – Lisa

The thing I love the most about living alone is you are able to make your own decisions, which makes you feel much more responsible. After years of having most decisions made for you, it makes you feel free. But what I don’t like about being on my own is the companionship, to have someone to share things with, coming home to an empty house, the feeling of loneliness at night, having no-one to discuss TV programmes with, having a meal on my own… there are so many things I miss, which outweighs the feeling of being able to make my own decisions and feeling free. – Carmel

I never have to do anything I don’t want to. Being alone is not the same as being lonely. I have a few good friends when I need company. I love to read. – Lee

Living alone is lonely at times, but the advantages are greater. You are able to do as one pleases, travel, veg out, coffee with friends most days, leave a mess and no-one to nag you to clean up, cook what you like, experiment with whatever your heart desires. – Judith

I love being able to spend hours in the bathroom! – Leigh

I love the silence, no radio, no TV, just me and a good book. – Lyn

I love being able to have what I want for meals, not having to make or please someone else. Not having to wash up the dishes every day, but doing it every second day. Not having to close the toilet door (my dog and both cats love to come in when I am on the toilet) so the pet would scratch on the door. It would be nice to have someone to go to the cinemas with, so I don’t go. I buy the movies and watch them when I want. I don’t mind being on my own, but I do have three pets to keep me company. – Kerry