Always liked living on my own but now not so sure

[Petals23]

I've lived alone nearly 20 years - I'm an introvert so never had any problem with my own company. I've a busy job so always liked some quiet time. I've posted before about my boyfriend who used to live in the same town but then 2 years ago decided to move an hour away, so I haven't seen him in weeks. We're together 4 years, no children. My parents and 2 sisters live a half an hour in the other direction. I'm not working since all this started and haven't seen anyone I know now in weeks. I've struggled with anxiety before, I've had it under control but it's flaring up again now. I can't believe I'm feeling lonely. Anyone else who usually likes a lot of their own company but struggling now?

Yep, me. I'm usually perfectly content being extremely solitary but since this crisis, I'm experiencing constant low-level fear and I find myself wishing I had someone at home to talk to/be with/get reassurance from/hug etc. It's both unsettling and interesting and makes me wonder if in fact I do need people more than I like to admit to myself.

I'm also experiencing much more social contact than I would normally, what with shopping for elderly acquaintances and volunteering in my community. The extra social contact is exhausting, but it helps me to feel useful and to have a bit of a purpose. Perhaps it might help you too?

I’m a lone parent I never really wanted to meet anyone again but now this situation I can’t help but think how it would be much more bearable if I was living with another adult. I miss adult company and would be nice to have someone to chat to and have that support.

Yes me too. I recently started living alone for the first time in many years. I was getting used to it and even enjoying it, but now not having someone around to talk to and share things with has been very difficult

For me, it's the first time in nearly 20 years that I'm not enjoying it. It's the fact that it's going on so long, I think. Some of my friends can't understand why I'm not seeing my boyfriend. I don't know how many times I've had to explain because we can't travel - he's an hour away!

I've lived alone for a long time and never minded - in fact enjoyed the solitary times- as work and socialising have been enough. But this is different, no one to talk to face to face 24/7 and no one to share the anxieties. Yes I talk to people via Skype etc but it's just not the same as real life contact.

I really like living alone and now I like it even more. I can hear my neighbours, on both sides, arguing all day long. It sounds like hell.

Just something I've had time to think about. Although I really like my own company, I've noticed my anxiety flares up when I'm spending too long alone. Do people think it's better for mental health to live with someone else?