Please tell me the joys you have of living alone

You get all the drawer space in the bedroom

Not to be underrated!

I've got a list of all the things l want to do and places l want to go. When l do something, l put the date next to it. Because l don't have to fit in with anyone else's plans, if l feel like doing something, off l go on an adventure. They have all been amazing, because l appreciate being able to go when l want, enjoy it without someone moaning, then come back when l want!

You get all the drawer space in the bedroom.
You get control of the remote control for TV.
You can eat what you want and when you want.
None has a moan if you are tired, go to bed and clear up next morning.
Less laundry, less washing and even less ironing.
You get the whole bed to yourself.
You can keep bedside light on to read and no one to complain.
No one to disagree with you about anything from where to go on holiday to what to have for dinner.

Life is low maintenance - not running around after anyone else.
Life is low tension - not dealing with anyone else’s moods.
Life is high comfort - surrounded by things that I like and that bring me joy

@Lupin61

Yes it's wonderful not having to put up with my ex partner farting or breathing anymore come to thinking 🤔 about how abusive he was in the past...

Cosy nights in watching and eating what you want. Lying across the bed in a starfish shape. Talking to yourself out loud without sounding mad. Listening to audio books with no interruptions. I loved living on my own!
Best wishes for a happy future.

After many years of living alone, I just moved in with my partner (it may be the beginning of the end!). I miss so many things about living alone.

1. Everything was exactly where I left it
2. The temperature is how I want it (some people apartently don't like all the windows open!)
3. The only people who come to visit are people you want to see and they come at a time you expect them to
4. Phone chargers don't go walkabout!!!
5. No one questions the frequency of your online deliveries, even if they are "only joking"
6. You don't have to faffe about with nonsense on moving cars in the driveway based on who intends to leave next

Honestly, living alone is brilliant. You don't have to compromise at all. It probably does make people a little selfish but so what. I miss it so much.

I get looked at like I have 2 heads when I tell people I’m still with my oh who lives 7 hours away. They always assume we’ve spilt up or something. 19 years and 3 kids together and he’s pretty much always worked offshore. I’m in England and right now he’s living just off Scotland. His rotation changes depending on his job but he’s currently 3 weeks away and 1 week home with me and the kids. We love each other and get on fine but anymore than a week and he’s itching to go and I want him out the house 😂 the kids love it as he sees them far more than he does on the rare times he works at home for a bit (at home he has 1 day off a fortnight and is out before they get up and home after they’re asleep), and we have the benefits of an offshore salary to spoil them rotten. This is very much MY house though and I couldn’t have a man in it full time.
Op have fun turning your home into a sanctuary and learn to relax! Do you have friends for support?

The absolute peace of it. Never having to consider a man's ego in my decisions.

I’ve never lived with a boyfriend/partner. I grew up in a house with an abusive father and from a young age was trained how to behave to appease his ever-changing moods and demands. I walked on eggshells and had a constant knot in my stomach. I never knew from one day to the next how he would be and what interaction he’d have with everyone else. His moods dominated the entire house, everything revolved around him. And I vowed that once I was independent of my parents, I would never ever again let a man (or anyone) control my peace and happiness.

I’ve lived alone since I started working and I will never live with anyone else. The peace I have is incredible. My home truly is my sanctuary. There is no tension, no stress, no ‘atmosphere’. It’s as I want it, and I make all the decisions and have things as I like them. It’s blissful.

Everything I did in my current and last house was my choice. Paint colours? Mine. Rugs or carpet? My choice. I learned how to wallpaper and how to tile the kitchen walls. I eat what I want when I want. The whole bed is mine. I don't have to negotiate or compromise on anything nor walk on eggshells because I happened to buy something without running it past his royal meanness. My friends are always welcome, as are my family. I. Am. Happy.

When was the last time you could just walk out of the door?

Or decide not to go home after work and spend a few hours meeting friends/taking a long walk/ watching a movie etc?

And not having to explain yourself to anyone?

Nothing is more important than having freedom.

I have never ever seen a thread on mumsnet where every single person tells you agrees with you and tells you what you want to here

I think its more important to be realistic. Living alone can be hard for some people. It can be nice for other people. The good thing is if it doesn't suit you you're not stuck doing it forever. You can give it a go.

I always come home to the house exactly how I left it - usually clean and tidy
I don’t have to justify my movements actions or spending to anyone - if I want to splurge on something and live on beans on toast for a month or two I can!

I don’t understand how anyone lives with someone else full time.

I can’t imagine not being in charge of what I watch on TV, what I cook, how I decorate my home, how much noise I make, having to tell someone if I’m going to be late home or where I’m going if I’m popping to the shops etc etc

You can still have visitors around and visit others but you also have your own space, so you can have the best of both worlds.

Hi OP I spent nearly 30 years in a very similar situation to yours and I’ve lived alone for nearly a year. I absolutely love it, it’s my house and I can have it how I want, I’m the only one making it untidy (or not) I go to work in the morning and when I come home in the evening miracle miracles everything is where I left it and there’s no washing up waiting to go in the dishwasher or crap lying around. I never hear “what are we having for dinner?”. I live in peace and blissful quiet I choose when to make a noise or not. I’m completely in charge of my own finances, it’s liberating. I was terrified of being without him however abusive and unpleasant he was but now I have never been happier, friends who know me say I’ve never looked better.
Now nothing on the earth would persuade me to share my lovely space on a long term basis with anyone the thought makes me feel physically sick.
Good luck 💐

At the moment my ex still lives with me & will until our joint property is sold. Living alone (albeit my daughter is with me) is going to be scary and weird for a while but I am looking forward to adjusting to the change. This thread is definitely helping.

Agree totally with you @EmpressaurusOfCats

It's important to keep the spirit of why it's so good to be single after ditching or splitting up from an abusive ex partner..🤔

The people talking about the downsides of living alone and why they personally don’t like it - not exactly helpful on this thread.

You can do what you want, eat what you want and when you want without criticism or comment.

you can have the heating on or off and only you have to account for why and the cost.

YOU WONT BE CLEANING UP AFTER ANYONE ELSE, hopefully.

Yes, and the reason you are alone.

Seperation, if you want it, probably brings a sense of freedoms.

But, I was widowed last year, and although I can see the practical advantages, it can be emotionally difficult.🙂

Enjoy! See it as a new chapter

@Lupin61

I can go wherever i feel like and do whatever i feel like doing,
such as staying overnight in a guest house or hotel etc,

Vist art galleries and cinema etc on my own or with quality 🧡 friendships,

Whithout asking if it's OK with my partner and not having to answer to him...

I can slouch around in my clean comfy Pj's at home 🏡 and eat cold rice 🍚 from a Tin and not care 😋 about what my shit 💩 ex partner thinks..