Benefits of Living Alone

People either love or hate living alone. There is usually no in-between. There are almost 8 million one-person households in the United States and about 300 million globally. Some people live alone by choice. Others live alone because there is no other option. Either way, those who live alone are in the fastest-growing group in the world.

Benefits of Living Alone

About 1 in 4 people in the United States live alone. There are many reasons they do so. There are also many benefits of living alone.

• You can please yourself!
• You are in control.
• There is no one there to fight with you for the TV remote.
• There is no problem with the thermostat setting for heat in the winter and coolness in summer.
• There are no senseless arguments.
• No one is there to judge you if you want to eat bacon and eggs for dinner.
• No one will eat your last scoop of ice cream.
• The ice trays will never be empty. Either they will have ice or water in them.
• You know when something is needed from the supermarket because there are no empty cartons in the refrigerator.
• You know you can eat the last piece of something without asking.
• You can play your music as loud as you want because no one is there to tell you to lower it. Also, you don't have to tell others to lower the volume of their music.

• You can walk around your house in an old robe, sweatpants or a torn t-shirt, or nothing at all without being judged.
• You can do what you want to do to please yourself instead of others.
• No one is there to complain about your strange personal habits, and you don't have to put up with anyone else's behavior.
• There is less clutter around the house. If there is clutter, it is your own clutter and not somebody else's.
• Everything is left exactly where you put it.
• The toilet seat is always the way you want it to be.
• You can let your toilet tissue sheets go over or under the roll without anyone complaining.

Research proves that living alone is good for people who can afford to do so. The result of several studies written by Eric Klinenberg in Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise And Surprising Appeal Of Living Alone proved that some of the most sociable and successful people in the world live alone.

More Me Time

Living alone gives people time to get to know themselves better by having as much "me time" as they need. They are free from distractions and judgments from others.

When people live by themselves, they have plenty of time for self-discovery. They can pray, meditate, journal, and do what makes them happy. They can dance as if no one is watching because no one is there to watch.

People can be more creative when they live alone. There is no one to distract them when they are in the middle of an important project.

Christopher Long and James R. Averill wrote about living alone in their abstract Solitude: An Exploration of Benefits of Being Alone that appeared in The Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour. They say solitude has long been linked to creativity, spirituality, and intellect. We are better able to concentrate when people are not around.

Not Sharing Private Space

Living with others who don't share your likes, dislikes, and interests can have a negative impact on the relationship.

There can be tension whenever lifestyles are different. There could be subtle negative remarks and spats that elevate to full-blown arguments. To prevent this from happening, it is best to live by yourself.

Disadvantages of Living Alone

Even though this article focuses on the advantages of living alone, here are a few disadvantages.

• You never can yell out, "Honey, I'm home."
• There's no one to greet you when you go home.
• There is no one to ask, "How was your day?"
• No one is around to say, "Bless you" when you sneeze.
• No one is available to share good news with.
• There is no one to eat at the table with you.

• In an emergency, there is no one to borrow gas money from until payday.
• There is no one to share the rent and household bills.
• No one is around to make sure you wake up on time for an early morning appointment.
• There is no one around to kiss you "Good Morning" or "Good Night."

Please Comment

Would you rather live alone or with someone?