I totally connected with this article: http://www.alternet.org/why-i-love-being-alone

My favorite quote from the article is: Charles Bukowski wrote, "Loneliness is something I've never been bothered with because I've always had this terrible itch for solitude." It's important to know the difference between being alone and being lonely, and they're often confused.

So many psychotherapists, etc. have written volumes about the need for being social, having loads of friends, etc., but that sort of thing has never been something I've felt is a big need in my life. I'm comfortable in my own skin, happy in my little world and do not feel the need to add more people to it. I wonder how you folks feel about it.


Edit: Corrected link. It should be available now.

 

Link doesn't work but I probably will agree with you.


fltsfshr

 

Yep, I agree, too. I'm amazed at how little I've gone out the past three months since I retired. I'm meeting up with my friends some and seeing my mother every week, but for the most part, I've been by myself during the day. And now by myself some evenings since the +1 is traveling. I like it. It's interesting that my mother is the same way - she likes her solitude. Auntie did, too.

 

I may be 50/50 on this or maybe only 75/25. I have no issue spending some time alone. I enjoy sitting on my deck, reading, listening to the birds, listening to music. I enjoy heading out with my camera. If I find things of interest, I can get "lost by myself" for a while. However, at the end of the day, I want to have someone to share with. Someone with whom I can talk about the book I read or to give me an opinion on the I've taken.

As a couple, Rick and I don't need to be surrounded by people, however, for us, I think a small group of friends with whom to socialize is important.

In addition to that we have the larger group of friends, like you S2000 people. We've gotten a lot from this friendship, had many social outings, met great people. With all that said, I think I'm in the 75/25 category at best. Rick, on the other hand, may be more in the 50/50 category.

 

I thought of the S2ki community when I read this article. Membership here is the first time I've ever expanded my circle past one or two friends. I think my attachment to folks here is because my privacy and solitude is respected as I respect yours. Lainey, my +1 has the same needs for aloneness/solitude/personal reflection/personal exploration that I have. He respects my need to be alone and I respect his. We can sit in the same room reading or just thinking for hours without saying a word. We are very much alike. There is no need for conversation to communicate.

 

I enjoy time alone...... don't need to have others around constantly, but do appreciate when we do get together with others for an evening or event.

On the days that I work out of the house, I do enjoy when Kathy gets home... to have another person there to talk to (talking on the phone just isn't the same as having someone there in person!).... (plus she then makes dinner!)

 

I can entertain myself with a variety of projects as well as anyone when I'm alone. I grew up as an only child. You learn very quickly how to do that and more importantly how to enjoy it. I can say I really like having my own time and space. But, having said that, I have no desire to be alone. It would be a lousy world if I didn't have someone to share it with.

 

I like going to meet with friends and like going home to be alone. I like to mix it up.

 

I think we appreciate our solitude more since the advent of the industrial revolution.

Lifestyles prior to that were either based on solitude or dense urban living. We are defined by our environment.

It was lonesome on the prairie. It's not anymore.

fltsfshr

 

I certainly like having someone to share my life, but we both appreciate our alone time.