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The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

nytimes.com

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Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#11

Post by jakeonthemove »

dgallagher wrote: post #9
jasonshen wrote: post #3

I enjoyed this article. I've lived with other people my whole life and it seems most young people I know live as roommates even into their 30's (if they are not cohabitating with an S.O.) I have had "Days of Chad" though and wonder what it would be like to love totally alone. I personally would just feel less social and more bored.

I've lived alone for almost 4 years now. I don't crave companionship and am perfectly fine with my own thoughts (introvert). Boredom only sets in if you have nothing interesting to do. My apartment is sparse; no television, empty walls, no game console (asides from 3DS/iPad), no way to entertain people who come over outside of whatever I can display on the computer. How the hell is that enjoyable? You find the things…

Hah, that's almost like my apartment(s) - I have just two laptops and my phone, everything's on them (and no one can use them because they're very different... not that I'd let anyone use my laptop :-)). No TV, nothing to entertain, empty shelves, no photos on walls, everything clean like I just moved in. I don't even eat at home. Anything that requires social interaction is done outside my apartment (the beauty of living in the city) - it's just for me.

P.S. I've also grown up with siblings, lived with other people - I don't like that, I really like privacy, I guess :-)...

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#12

Post by jakeonthemove »

"A music manager and record producer who works from his railroad apartment in Brooklyn, Mr. Sherwood, 40, said he’ll go to bed at 2 a.m. one night, and then retire later and later by increments, “until I go to bed when the sun comes up.” "

Glad it's not just me who does that :-D...

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#13

Post by sorenbs »

jakeonthemove wrote: post #12

"A music manager and record producer who works from his railroad apartment in Brooklyn, Mr. Sherwood, 40, said he’ll go to bed at 2 a.m. one night, and then retire later and later by increments, “until I go to bed when the sun comes up.” " Glad it's not just me who does that :-D...

I have had my most productive times when when i allow myself to do this. Would like to see an academic treatment of the subject.

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#14

Post by dgallagher »

jakeonthemove wrote: post #11
dgallagher wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've lived alone for almost 4 years now. I don't crave companionship and am perfectly fine with my own thoughts (introvert). Boredom only sets in if you have nothing interesting to do. My apartment is sparse; no television, empty walls, no game console (asides from 3DS/iPad), no way to entertain people who come over outside of whatever I can display on the computer. How the hell is that enjoyable? You find the things…

Hah, that's almost like my apartment(s) - I have just two laptops and my phone, everything's on them (and no one can use them because they're very different... not that I'd let anyone use my laptop :-)). No TV, nothing to entertain, empty shelves, no photos on walls, everything clean like I just moved in. I don't even eat at home. Anything that requires social interaction is done outside my apartment (the beauty of l…

It sounds like we'd make perfect roommates! ;)

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#15

Post by bch »

jakeonthemove wrote: post #12

"A music manager and record producer who works from his railroad apartment in Brooklyn, Mr. Sherwood, 40, said he’ll go to bed at 2 a.m. one night, and then retire later and later by increments, “until I go to bed when the sun comes up.” " Glad it's not just me who does that :-D...

Been there too... I call it a 26/27 hour clock. On the day that would end with a sunrise, I'd take it off, but stay up, taking it easy (but tired) and push through until a "normal" bedtime, sleep like a baby and wake up the next day with a reset schedule.

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#16

Post by citricsquid »

I live alone (for 15 months so far) and love it and will never live with someone else again (well, until my attitude changes) but one thing I also do is work from home... I often go up to 7 days without seeing another human being and when I do it's either a McDonalds server or a pizza delivery guy, this part is turning me insane.

I have absolute control over my environment, if I don't like a noise or the heat or a smell I fix it, this isn't the reality most people have so when my financial/employment situation changes I will have to adjust very rabidly, with that in mind I've made the decision to move into an environment less desirable than the one I have now (working from an office) but I think it's for the best. At least I'll have a 2 bedroom apartment to myself to hide in at weekends if it is terrible.

Living alone is wonderful and I always find it strange how people can live with others, I can understand the desire people have for human interaction but being able to wake up and then go to bed without having seen another person in the waking period is just so great, true freedom. Maybe it just comes down to control.

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#17

Post by [deleted] »

dgallagher wrote: post #9
jasonshen wrote: post #3

I enjoyed this article. I've lived with other people my whole life and it seems most young people I know live as roommates even into their 30's (if they are not cohabitating with an S.O.) I have had "Days of Chad" though and wonder what it would be like to love totally alone. I personally would just feel less social and more bored.

I've lived alone for almost 4 years now. I don't crave companionship and am perfectly fine with my own thoughts (introvert). Boredom only sets in if you have nothing interesting to do. My apartment is sparse; no television, empty walls, no game console (asides from 3DS/iPad), no way to entertain people who come over outside of whatever I can display on the computer. How the hell is that enjoyable? You find the things…

[deleted]

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#18

Post by lukev »

blahedo wrote: post #8

That article both spoke to me and seemed foreign; I've lived alone for all but two years of the last 20 (since high school), and I do "spread out" in many of the ways it describes. But, when I do get to temporarily "live with" someone---when I'm home at my parents' house, when I'm sharing a hotel room at a conference, when I'm visiting friends for a few days---my experience is totally opposite the article. I look for…

I'm in the opposite boat. Grew up with lots of siblings, had roommates all through college, got married young.

Believe me, even a few hours of solitude are things to be treasured. I wouldn't give up the life I have now for anything, but in my "grass is greener" moments, that's what I wish for the most. Long stretches of time in which to do my own thing entirely unpreturbed.

Re: The Freedom and Perils of Living Alone

#20

Post by zheng »

It might only be me, but I'm pretty sure I have the best of both worlds. I live with my wife (no kids), and we're both quirky as hell. When we go out, we act normal, but at home we do whatever we want. I'm very introverted, but comfortable enough with her that it really isn't that different from living alone, as she allows me time when I need it.

It's even better though, because if I lived alone I'm pretty sure I would never eat or go out. Having her with me means someone looks out for me and keeps me fed. Plus whenever I just need a break, she is more than happy to let me lay next to her as she unwinds from her day. I've always been a great listener because when I need a break I don't want to think, and thus don't feel my normal need to solve all her problems, another think she really appreciates.

I guess this turned into a brag session, but I think if you can find someone to live with who you can totally be yourself with, then that is possibly preferable to living alone. Plus it means reduced costs, etc. I can certainly see the appeal of living alone, but it seems strange to me as anything other than a temporary solution while you find someone to live with, whether that's a roommate/life partner/spouse.

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