I’ve never lived alone

People could have lived with flat mates after leaving home.

I think living alone is bloody wonderful if you're doing it because you want to. It’s a basic for my mental health.

Otherwise it’s a whole other matter.

I have never lived alone either and am not a fan of being alone at night. I lived at home, then lived in student accommodation, then a shared house and then with DH.

Neither have I, and I wish I had.

If I ever get the chance it won't come at no cost, given that I'm married...

Wish I'd don't it through choice when I was younger. I would love to do it now tbh.

I lived alone after university & loved it, moved in with my partner, left 10 years later & gradually worked my way up through lodging & renting to being able to afford my own flat.

The joy when I finally had my own front door was overwhelming. I love hosting friends but I’m never going to live with anyone else again except my cat.

I've lived alone and honestly you adapt really quickly. I found the first week particularly was a shock to the system and then after that I was fine!

I’m perfectly happy with my own company and have travelled on my own but have never lived on my own. In fact, I have never even had my own bedroom as I shared with my DS and left home to live with DH. I really enjoy a room of my own when I travel. I’m certainly not incapable (as Ilovesooty describes).

You have my sympathy. Living alone is fantastic. As much as I love it when DD is with me, I love my own space just as much when she’s with her dad.

I haven't either, uni was the closest but shared a kitchen of course. Cant say I've ever given it any thought, I mum sure lots of people haven't, financially doesn't really make sense especially when younger. I have plenty of time on my own and I like the people I live with (considering I chose to marry him!) so it's all good!

Most people, even if they had long periods single, will have had flatmates then etc. I would have loved to live alone when younger, but I would never have been able to afford it. I do think maintaining friendships, knowing how to do stuff (some couples get so specialised one half wont know how to turn the oven on and the other won't know what bank they use) is important. But I don't think you are unusual or pathetic.

I'm 65.
Left home at 20 to move in with BF - who then became my husband. Still together. I've never lived alone.

I loved my time living alone. I bought my first house and the feeling when I knew I was the only one that had a key was awesome. I ended up having a lodger later to help pay the bills, but those early days were fabulous.

my busy family house is great, but I still long for a cute flat that is mine only

I'm the opposite. After my ex left when I was pregnant, it was just DD and me for 25 years. I wouldn't have moved anyone in until she moved out and, when she did, I found that I enjoy living alone and cannot imagine living with anyone ever again. It's certainly not pathetic not to have lived alone - my mother was married for 66 years, widowed at 87 and even now, at 94, I know she doesn't enjoy it but equally doesn't want to move.

I've never loved alone - went from living with parents to university halls, 12 years flat shating in London and then moved in with Mr Monkey.

I am totally capable though and have dealt with everything from horrible landlords, floods, boiler breakdowns, late bills, break ins, house buying, horrible neighbours, finding tradesmen etc..

I've lived alone for 20 years, I like it.

You'd adjust if you found yourself in that situation OP, don't overthink it.

I'm the opposite! I've never lived with anyone else (apart from as a child/teenager obviously)

I don't think it's pathetic, there are lots of people who haven't lived alone.

I did, and it had its pros and cons. Nice to have my own space for the first time, and do things my way. A learning curve, sorting bills and doing housework without anyone to tell me to like at home.

But I didn't like the night times and felt paranoid. I'm deadly scared of spiders and hated dealing with them, silly as it sounds. I like my own company but I like to have the option to have it, if that makes sense? It's nice to know there's someone there even if I'm in my office working on a project and DH is in another room reading.

All in all, it was useful. It's a good exercise in learning to sit with your own company, but then it's not something I'd choose again. I don't necessarily feel like it's had a huge impact on my life and I'm sure I'd have learned about bills and housework in a houseshare or living with a boyfriend.

This is all a bit rambly, but what I think I'm trying to say is it's not a big deal!

I’m 46 to op and have never lived alone ( although I fantasise about it a lot sometimes ha! ) and it’s more normal than you think.

my dc are both autistic and what would be regarded as “high functioning” which I know isn’t the correct term but I don’t know what is anymore and my eldest who is 21 said that he can’t wait to get his own place when he’s a bit older but my youngest who is 13 said she is NEVER leaving home so I’m stuck with her. She’s a sweetheart and wants us to be crazy cat ladies.

i actually don’t know many people who’ve lived totally alone now come to think of it.

I've never lived alone, but was the only adult for years. Which in the practical changing lightbulbs sense is the same.

Me neither, and I'm 54. Parental home to uni halls, then student flats/residences, back to parents' home, then moved in with now DH when I was 26, and lived with him ever since, having three DC together. Tbh, now I think about it, I don't think I've ever even spent a single night anywhere on my own. 🤷‍♀️

I have been in two long term relationships: one from age 19 to 30, then a four day gap, then the next from age 30 to 56. I have now been single for four years, not quite alone as I still have one child at home but they are absent for long hours and I wfh.

I bloody love it. I suspect my life would have been happier,and my relationships healthier, if I had spent more time getting to know myself rather than focused on another person.

I have never lived alone either. I’m 60.

I think I’d like it though.

My sister has never lived alone. She went from our parents to marriage. She's totally incapable practically and I don't know how she'll manage if she ends up alone. I'd never lived alone till I left my husband (but he was pretty useless). I've lived alone ever since then and there's no way I'd live with anyone again. People are all different.

I’ve lived alone and those years were the best years of my life!

Over 8 million people in the UK live alone. I'm one of them. It's great. (I do have a cat).

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ons-office-for-national-statistics-b2541473.html