The older I get, the more I prefer my own company.

[Tolkienista]

I love life, I love interacting with friends and relatives, I love interacting with strangers too........but increasingly I love time on my own and rarely feel that I'm missing out on big social events eg. (staff night outs) which I always hated, by spending a night in on my own.

I retired from teaching in July and thought that I would struggle to adapt to a life devoid of the day to day interaction with colleagues, which I must admit I really enjoyed in my long career.
So far, I haven't missed it at all. I'm loving my freedom and interacting with my family more. Just had a great day out with three family members, but coming home and doing my own thing makes me really relaxed and at peace. I honestly don't think I've ever been bored in my life.

How do others feel?
Am I odd for feeling the way I do? or is the feeling of "doing my own thing" strange in this day and age when so many experts say you should be interacting with others to protect your mental health. I do interact, but at my discretion and certainly at my pace.

I’ve lived independently for seven years. I have no family. I would describe myself a social introvert. I do struggle. I know the truth in feeling lonely in a marriage. I crave companionship and at same time can’t imagine it to be a joy. I feel there is a missing piece of the jigsaw and can’t work out what it is.

I realise I’m a bit of a mix. I sometimes crave time alone and fantasise about holidays on my own. But other times I panic if I don’t have something planned with friends - and o don’t think this is social expectations I genuinely enjoy company. I also realise that sometimes when life is tough being around friends just gives me perspective, I can just shelve the difficulties for a little while and chat about silly stuff.

BUT my ideal Sunday is….a clean and tidy house, my DH and kids out doing fun activity. Me at home with a book and a cup of tea. Bloody bliss.

Social introvert - not heard of that before, that makes sense.

I love my own company!

Separated then divorced from XH 6 years ago, DC were 50/50 but now FT with me - but they’re young adults so rarely in, or chill in their own space in the house. I love my quiet evenings and weekends! Just me and DDog is lovely.

We do all eat together in the evenings if they’re in (most nights with one, probably 5 nights with other and I do see wider family, especially DM and DF when I can. I don’t really socialise outside of work much, and I’ve tried dating but get bored quickly!

I WFH 2-3 days a week and in London 1-2 days a week (only work 4 days but FT hours) in a sociable industry, so often at events / meetings / conferences. I enjoy that because that’s work me, not personal me.

I just genuinely enjoy my own company! And my own life / space. I think after being married so long (25 plus years) I just like doing what I want to do without having to agree anything with someone else.