To tell DP to leave me alone when in my room

[littlepieces]

I've been living in a small flat with DP for 18 months. We have a second bedroom/boxroom that's 'my' room where I keep my clothes etc. and where I wfh. DP also works from home in the lounge/kitchen room, so we're together pretty much 24/7.

I like alone time - I read, draw, write, listen to podcasts. I go to my room to do these things, but after 10-15 minutes, DP is knocking on my door, coming to tell me about something pointless, eg. something he's seen on Twitter, or something that's happened in the street (we live on a lively high street). I can't concentrate on anything I enjoy because I know I'm going to get interupted by him. Even when I'm actually working for my job, he keeps popping into my space all day to tell me things, and I feel like I spend half my day telling him to go away as I'm busy, and he gets sad. He previously lived with his brother and I think this was normal behaviour for them. I've asked him to please let me have my alone time many times, but after a day or so he seems to forget. Is this what living with someone has to be like though, AIBU?

Does he interrupt your work too or just your downtime?

Have you actually actually explained that you need an hour to yourself and he should not interrept unless the house is on fire. That it's important to you, your mental health and will make your relationship better. And it has nothing to do with not being with him. And him interrupting to show memes makes you feel xxxxxx (whatever the feing is).

@BruceAndNosh

Does he interrupt your work too or just your downtime?

Even when I'm actually working for my job, he keeps popping into my space all day to tell me things, and I feel like I spend half my day telling him to go away as I'm busy, and he gets sad.

The OP suggests it's both.

I think you need to make it a very pointed and direct conversation that unless the house is on fire he needs to respect your quiet time. Explain why you need it and how it makes you feel if you don't get it. He just needs to be made to understand that it's an essential part of your day and you need it to be able to balance the rest of the time when you're in contact with others.

Is he really being thoughtless or does he maybe begrudge the fact that you're the only one in a small flat who has a room exclusively for themselves and is trying to spoil it for you?
I can sort of see both sides. My need to have time alone outweighs my desire to live with my OH, but if he had a room that he could retire to for some peace and I didn't, I'd probably be a put out. And vice versa.

I dont think it's unreasonable that I have my own room (it's more of a big cupboard!) It was unused previously, he prefers to work in in lounge. It's his flat that he owns as well - he's in the living room/lounge either working or watching football/tennis/his TV shows 15 hours a day. We do watch some shows and movies together in the evenings, sometimes play board games, but to be honest watching TV isn't what I'd do with my free time given the choice. But we're limited on external activities as he's worried about Covid, and I have to respect that.