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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say that living alone is better than sharing a home with anyone?

221 replies

MintZebra · 11/02/2025 17:57

Even the best relationships or friendships don’t compare to the peace of living by yourself. AIBU to think solo living is the ultimate goal?

OP posts:
EmpressaurusKitty · 12/02/2025 08:45

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 23:05

This. ^ It's OK to be alone short term, but shit long-term. I guess it's OK if you have had a shit relationship for some years, and a relief to be alone for a bit. But I don't believe the vast majority of people want to spend their entire life living alone. I find it rather odd actually. JMO.

And I don’t get why anyone would want to have someone else living in their home, all the time.

But that’s fine, I don’t need to get it.

Alaimo · 12/02/2025 03:55

DH and I are living separate this year while working in different locations. It has its pros and cons I love the freedom, and I'm sleeping better too (he usually wakes up 1-2x during the night and will drink some water, go to the loo, etc). On the other hand, DH pulls his weight around the house and I resent now being the one who has to do all the household tasks whereas normally we'd split them.

BettyBardMacDonald · 12/02/2025 03:06

I love my SO but no desire to live together. My space is too important to me.

Meadowfinch · 12/02/2025 02:57

I would have agreed with you, up until I had my DS.

I hated sharing a flat, the petty squabbles and endless mess of my flat mates. I loved my single girl life in my own flat. The peace of a Sunday evening reading a book, listening to music, a glass of wine.

The two times I've lived with a man, I was stunned at how selfish and entitled they were. Maybe I chose very poor specimens . 🙄

But for the last 16 years I have lived with my DS. He has been a source of endless love, warmth, humour and interest. I've loved every minute of it. I've done my best to ensure he isn't selfish or entitled so he can have a happy future relationship. I will miss him hugely when he leaves.

I have no idea how I will fill that gap. My challenge for the next decade !

Moonlightstars · 12/02/2025 02:45

Personally I love living in my full house. I love DH. I love sleeping next to him as he cuddles me when I can't sleep (like now but I am working away). I love having random chats with my teenage DC. I love having people to eat with and cook for. And to cook for me.
I don't mind the mess and chaos they can bring as I enjoy a bit of chaos.
If I loved alone who would wake me up singing, it brings me breakfast, or have a lovely shag with me? Who would laugh at my crap jokes or be interested in my slightly dull worries about one of the kids or listen to me talk through an not very significant issue at work that's playing on my mind. I have lots of friends but not convinced it would be the most interesting topic at the end of the day.

I do understand many people enjoy living alone. I wouldn't hate it just prefer being around people. DH on the other hand would 100% live alone if we split up or I die. He loves the solitude and I often take the kids away to friends etc so he can have his needed peace and quiet. He then wants us back again after he is recharged!

mjf981 · 12/02/2025 02:21

I would live with someone again, though I do like living alone.
But I would never ever not have my own bedroom and bed. I don't care if people think its weird or 'not good for a relationship.' Sleep is sacred and I'm not giving that up for anything (and especially for a snorer!!).

orzomushroom · 12/02/2025 01:54

JHound · 11/02/2025 18:11

I worry about a medical emergency living alone, or falling.

But that’s it. I HATE people on my living space. The only way I could share a home is if I was rich enough for us to have our own wings.

This ,I daydream about living on my own with a spare bedroom for my children if and when. Small garden and my doggie.

BlondiePortz · 12/02/2025 01:54

solo living is the ultimate goal? so this would include every individual so we would all have to stop having children?

I presume living alone works for some people not everyone?

DdraigGoch · 12/02/2025 01:51

The other week I was ill, the unwashed dishes were piling up, and the only way that I could heat the house properly was by going out to get wood in from the shed to build a fire. I sorely needed some support.

Franjipanl8r · 12/02/2025 01:35

I’ve never lived alone and would never want to. Each to their own I guess but it’s not for everyone.

PrivacyScreen · 12/02/2025 01:26

I love living with my DH and DS. wouldn't like to live alone, though most women do end up alone I think as they tend to live longer. I'm not looking forward to it.

Ohshutupcolinyoutwat · 12/02/2025 01:26

Dh and I have been together for 8 years and married for 5 - second marriage for us both and we have chosen not to live together. We live approx 2 miles apart and see each other a few times a week. Both DD and DS are both Uni so it is just me and the cat and I blood love it. I love the peace and quiet, I love not having to cook, I love not having to talk. I think I am an introvert at heart. DH and I may cohabit in the future but it won't be until retirement age.

spikefaithbuffy · 12/02/2025 01:10

I've never lived with anyone else
Moved to uni at 17 and never went home after that

iamnotalemon · 12/02/2025 00:48

I live alone with my cat (yes, a stereotype) and I do seriously worry whether I'd be able to live with a partner. I'm so used to living alone and I like my space and the peace. It's not for everyone of course but I love it.

ThePolarBearWhoLostHisCrown · 12/02/2025 00:35

I was so sad when I moved into my place post divorce. I'd never lived on my own before and was so so lonely. Fast forward a few years and I bloody love it. I've been with my DP for years and he's bought up living together a few times but I just don't want to. This is my home, my nest, my comfort blanket.

BreezyScroller · 12/02/2025 00:26

not for me, no.

If you haven't go children, living alone is very easy. You just... do it. No one is forcing you to stay with someone else. No one bats an eyelid if you rent or buy when you are single. Or they are so rare, no one cares.

I find it much better to live with someone I care for, it makes life so much easier, and more pleasant.

If you don't like to share a home, then just don't, and live alone.

NattyTurtle59 · 12/02/2025 00:24

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 23:05

This. ^ It's OK to be alone short term, but shit long-term. I guess it's OK if you have had a shit relationship for some years, and a relief to be alone for a bit. But I don't believe the vast majority of people want to spend their entire life living alone. I find it rather odd actually. JMO.

You can find it as odd as you like. I lived alone until I was 30, then my partner moved in and we married - and I never really got used to having someone else in the house. Of course there were good times, but we separated when I was 42 (23 years ago) and I have lived alone ever since. It's never been "shit" for even one day. I find people who can't imagine being alone rather odd actually.

NattyTurtle59 · 12/02/2025 00:17

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 21:00

This is the second thread in 2 days about how 'amazing' it is to be single and alone.... 🤔And how much 'stronger' and 'better' single people are than married people/people in long term relationships... 🤔

I don't see people blathering on about how great it is to be married, how much they wubz their hubby, and how they are 'stronger' and more 'successful' than SINGLE people.

Batshit! 😆Methinks the ladies doth protests too much! Who you tryna convince @MintZebra

Methinks the ladies doth protests too much

We could say the same about you 😂Do I detect a tiny bit of envy?

Xmasbaby11 · 11/02/2025 23:14

I've lived on my own a few times and did enjoy the last time (when I had friends nearby and liked where I lived), but I've been married with 2 DC for over 10 years and I'm not sure how I'd like it now.

RosesAndHellebores · 11/02/2025 23:07

I have fantasies about living in an apartment in Chelsea and having white carpets. Also about a side of smoked salmon and bottle of champagne in bed on Christmas day.

I love my family very much and have been, happily, with DH for more than 35 years.

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 23:06

ObviouslyBlooming · 11/02/2025 21:54

Well it seems that single women are happier and live longer so there is that….

Are you taking the piss?! 😆 It's a well documented fact that this is a myth. 😆 It's a silly little bit of bullshit that has escalated - because some single women try and convince themselves that they're superior to married women and soooooo much better than them, so they keep repeating this bullshit.

It was a tiny survey done YEARS ago, with just a 1000 women, and it's a load of bollocks that is repeated constantly on this type of thread. As I said, methinks the ladies doth protest too much. There wouldn't be so many millions of women on online dating, if all women were happy single.

You don't get married women/women in long term relationships desperate to convince everyone how sooooooooo very happy they are! 😂

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 23:05

KitKatKathy · 11/02/2025 22:42

I love living with my husband. When I lived alone, I hated how everything was my responsibility - Leaking roof, giant hornet in the bathroom, mice in the shed - I had to sort everything with bo one to share the load.

This. ^ It's OK to be alone short term, but shit long-term. I guess it's OK if you have had a shit relationship for some years, and a relief to be alone for a bit. But I don't believe the vast majority of people want to spend their entire life living alone. I find it rather odd actually. JMO.

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 23:03

Nursingadvice · 11/02/2025 22:59

Sorry to burst your bubble but I am happily living alone, and have been since the age of 27, with no desire to ever share my space with another adult. I have one child at home so I am never lonely but I would hate to have another adult living in my home.
I agree with most others on here, If I had to be in a relationship, it would have to be in seperate homes, or a mansion!

Well you're a rarity then.

Nursingadvice · 11/02/2025 22:59

BatchCookBabe · 11/02/2025 21:31

I hated it too. When I first moved out (19-ish) I moved in with 4 people into a big Victorian House, (9 months I stayed,) then I moved into a flat share with 2 other women. (Stayed 15 months.) 2 years with other people. Then I got my own place. Stuck it for a year. I was really bored and lonely on my own, and was always phoning my parents, my cousin, and one of my friends. Was harder financially too. I moved back to my parents at 22, then met my now DH shortly after that and moved in with him at 23 and a half. Lived with him ever since. (Over 30 years!)

I think women who are very happy alone are far more likely to be people aged 45-50+ who have been in rubbish relationships. (For many years.) Most people I know who are younger and never married, have no desire to be alone forever. Why on earth would anyone want THAT?! Confused

As has been said, that myth that single women are the happiest is a load of shit. It was done via a survey YEARS ago, with about 1000 people participating. Single women have clung on for dear life to this load of bollocks for YEARS now, to try to convince themselves that they are happier than married women. Methinks the ladies doth protest too much! 😆

As a pp said on another thread almost identical to this! (bedeepkoala)

As far as I know, the entire myth is literally based on a single sentence that some random academic said at a low tier conference which the Guardian picked up on and endlessly repeated since it fits their agenda.

Sorry to burst your bubble but I am happily living alone, and have been since the age of 27, with no desire to ever share my space with another adult. I have one child at home so I am never lonely but I would hate to have another adult living in my home.
I agree with most others on here, If I had to be in a relationship, it would have to be in seperate homes, or a mansion!

Joystir59 · 11/02/2025 22:44

I love sharing the house with my best friend. I love the shared bills shared responsibility, the companionship, shared interests, and also get to enjoy my own space and time when I want to, as I've my own bedroom and we have an art studio we share . Best of both worlds. I was quite lonely when I lived alone, despite being active and having lots of friends.