Do you get scared home alone?

[Tilllly]

I do
Not always - thankfully

But sometimes I'm just spooked
It's not as tho I live in the middle of nowhere

And I really don't think a psychopath is hiding in the attic till I turn the light off

Any tips? I hate it

My DP works abroad a lot so I am home alone about 40% of the time. I always chain the front door which we never do otherwise but other than that it doesn’t bother me.

Yes, I have an alarm for night time -door locked day time

Hate being alone at night. Not used to it and on the odd occasion it’s happened I leave a light on in the hallway like a child.

There isn't a legitimate reason for me to be scared, no

Burglars - no, I reckon they'd run if disturbed

Supernatural - I don't believe really

I think the nearest I can qualify it is someone really evil

It absolutely is.

What it is not though, in the vast majority of cases, is a choice.

But how likely is it that someone really evil will show up in your house when you’re alone (or indeed at any time)?

No, but I would if I lived in a rural area. I live in a terraced house in London, and have two dogs. I leave the back door open most if the time during the day.
At night I feel totally safe. My windows are double glazed and don't open at the bottom (and yes I know this doesn't meet current building regs), my front door is heavy and I have secure locks, my back doors are glazed but have the latest locks plus a bolt (plus can only be accessed by climbing over several fences).
One thing having pets though (I have two cats as well), is that any noise I do hear at night I assume is one of them!
The foxes are pretty creepy with all their screaming but I we enjoy pretending they are wild animals on the hunt (which they are, but not for humans)!

I like being home alone during the day! but feel a tad jumpy at night 🙈 so before bed, I keep a lamp/ TV on and keep myself busy.

Then when its time for bed, I'll put the bedroom fairy lights on and lock the bedroom door behind me.
When my little family is home, i sleep in complete darkness and dont act jumpy 🤣

I'm perfectly fine alone in the daytime but night time is a different story.

DH started to work nights/away a few years ago so I had to get used to it. I developed a routine whereby once the DCs are in bed I check all the doors are locked, switches off, blinds shut, downstairs alarm on etc then go up to bed. I make sure we have everything we need like drinks, etc and then go up to bed to read/watch tv/prep for the next day. It's a bit OCD I fully accept that but it makes me feel comfortable and allows me to relax and sleep well. We got DDog a year ago which has relaxed that routine slightly but I still like to get everything done and get comfortable upstairs. I'm getting more used to being 'alone' but i'd still rather have DH here at night.

I do something very similar. Basically spend my evening upstairs. I sleep better if I do this. Less tense.

I think if I didn't have my 3 dogs I would be but they are so alert it makes me feel better ... until they bark at something I can't see

@Guimpe pretty low I'd say
I didn't say it was a rational fear!

Really? What on earth in the OP’s post led you to make that remark?

OP - I don’t feel nervous, I live semi-rural if that matters.

Things to make you feel more comfortable? Get into a routine where you KNOW you’ve locked the doors once you’re in the house. Maybe close the curtains as it gets dark. Ensure you have soft, cozy lamp lights etc. Get in the habit of charging your mobile phone for the evening/night.

I don’t really want to suggest anything else, because that usually means thinking up disaster scenarios to avoid!

Keeping occupied is good. If you have any streaming services, find some shows with a few seasons that you can get into. Download some books. Try a craft that could take up your focus. Boring, but batch cook some meals - distracting and practical!

On a practical level, look at what you can afford that may be fairly simple to get sorted. Am just throwing out ideas here. A Ring doorbell. A lock/bolt on garden gate. A security light at the front/back of the house.

I have a big dog who sleeps at the foot of the stairs. He makes me feel safe.

I used to. But now we have a security alarm (with intervention included) and a mini remote with a panic button

I’m in my 70s - there are a few widows I know of and I wonder how they adapt to being alone.
im ok in the summer but not so keen in the winter.

I'm a single mum, live rurally, no-one within shouting distance. It's never really worried me but if I felt like that I would...

Install good quality windows & doors with locks
Have a routine for checking them before I went to bed.
Keep doors locked during the day
Keep phones in bedroom, sitting room, kitchen
Keep a dog

All that for peace of mind.

Then cheerful music, close the curtains, read in bed. 😊