7 Things I’ve Learned About Myself From Living Alone

The longer I’m single, the more I think I’m going to STAY single. It’s been many years since I’ve had a full time significant other.

You know what I mean. I’ve dated, I’ve had guys in my life for a few months at a time, but honestly, none worth bringing home to Mom and Dad.  The longer this goes on, the more I notice that I love my personal space.

My home being all mine and exactly how I want it. There is no one to share the remote with, worry about who is eating my leftovers and most importantly, I can starfish in my bed. Well, that last one is debatable considering my dog Pork likes to take up some space and she sort of rules the house.

Every time I chat with friends with husbands or live in boyfriends/partners, I realize one thing. I fucking love being alone. It does worry me that I’ve gotten SO used to it that I have zero motivation to change it. But that’s probably a whole other post to write about.

There are some great perks to living alone. There are also a few downers to it. Like having to be responsible for EVERYTHING. As in, if there’s no food in the fridge, you have to get your ass up off the couch to go get more. Well, technically, you could do Uber Eats… And yes, all those bills are yours to pay in full every month. Here are a few things I’ve learned about myself from living alone.

Things I’ve Learned About Myself From Living Alone

I Can Be As Messy As I Want To Be

So although this is great, this is also terrible at the same time. But it’s nice to not have to feel obligated to tidy up to not piss someone else off. I only have myself to piss off and yes it’s often. I can’t stand a messy house but I’m a bit of a messy person.

I’m all over the place and am always working on some sort of project for the blog. Plus, with blog packages and products arriving all the time, there’s is almost always a pile of STUFF to be sorted through, donated or tossed.

I’ve Learned To Cook, A Lot

I’ve always been into cooking, but never really obsessed with it. As I’ve gotten both older and into being more healthy, cooking has become something I do a TON of. I also owe this to finally signing up for Plated, one of those meal delivery services.

I did them for a few weeks many months ago and it really helped to teach me how to better plan out ingredients. I saved my favorite recipe cards and now re-make about half a dozen of the recipes pretty often. Plus, since I signed up for TRIM Bootcamp, almost ALL my meals are made from scratch at home and I’m loving it!

I’m Basically A Handyman (Or At Least Know A Lot About It)

I’m responsible for every little thing in this house. So the more things go wrong, the more I learn about how to go about fixing them. Whether I hire someone to fix them or not, I’ve basically had a small education on becoming a handyman.

I understand breakers, water supply lines, caring for marble, etc. I’ve also had NIGHTMARE experiences with contractors and friends trying to help. Lesson learned, hire PROFESSIONALS. People who are licensed and insured. It’s worth the extra money. TRUST ME HERE.

I Can Mcgiver ANYTHING

Well, maybe not ANYTHING. But lots of things! Need to get a piece of furniture from my car to my apartment? Alone? I got this.

Need to figure out how to get a dozen bags of groceries from the parking deck, through the elevators and down the hall in one trip? I got this. Need to get my ass zipped up in a dress that’s hard as hell to do on your own? I GOT THIS!

Sure there’s been times I’ve hauled a piece of furniture by msyelf, scuffed my wall and thought, well fuck. But I did it. And that’s more empowering even though it may not have been the more efficient way to go about it.

I Desperately Crave Alone Time

It’s definitely not news that I’m an introvert. But I’ve noticed it more and more the older I’ve gotten. I have become more self-aware of how it affects me if I don’t get it too. Living alone for so long I think also magnified this. I’m just SO used to it that as soon as I get in a big group setting, my need of “me time” cup empties faster.

Take going on a trip with friends. I always find around day 4 or 5 that I’m ready to sit alone by myself. It has NOTHING to do with the people around me. It’s simply that I need to be alone to recharge.  It definitely happens sooner depending on the trip, or later, and so on.

I’m glad I learned what it is because it doesn’t come off very friendly. It honestly comes off VERY bitchy that I become quiet all of a sudden and usually pretty short with people and appear to be “down”. I’ve learned that I have to communicate this to people who may not realize it. But living alone allows me to recharge all the time which is great.

Sometimes I Work Way Too Much

This is not only because of living alone that I don’t have someone to chat with after a day of work, or on the weekend. But also because my work, this blog, rarely takes a break. It’s my own fault, and something I’m working on.

But it’s easy to sit on the couch alone, with your dog and The Office (my favorite sitcom to binge) playing in the background and just knocking out work. I thankfully enjoy my work so it’s not THAT bad, but it’s bad that it’s an easy gateway to many hours of not socializing. It’s something I planned to work on in 2019 if you remember these goals.

I Love And Watch Way Too Much TV

So this is probably the not-so-good thing I learned about myself from living alone for this long. But TV is my BEST FRIEND sometimes. I love a good binge-worthy show that consumes my days. I regret nothing! But it’s not the best habit. I’ve considered cutting the chord to reduce the temptation but don’t know if I have it in me.

Do you live alone? What are your favorite things about it?