In my book, living alone is freedom. Don’t get me wrong — I love spending time with my friends and the several guys I’m dating at any one time. But similar to a guy’s bachelor pad where he can live like a dude in all his manly glory, a gal’s homey hideaway is a liberating lair. It’s freedom from someone else’s living habits, expectations or limitations. A gal can make her own decisions on her own terms, from purchasing a living room couch to relaxing after a long workday in silence.
Unfortunately, the term “alone” often seems to imply “loneliness.” And sometimes there’s reason for that. Yet, with the right attitude (and decor) living alone is empowering, and not lonely at all. It fosters independence and the affinity to take ownership of a home as a strong, confident woman. Once I adjusted my perspective (and redecorated), I found that living without roommates was fun, relaxing and helped me to grow. Instead of arguing with or picking up after my roommate, I get to snuggle into my very own safe haven and read a book or watch whatever movie I damnwell please.
Here are five ways that helped me (and could help you!) make living alone super awesome:
Unleash Your Creativity
Your house, your rules — and that includes decorating. Making your apartment feel like YOUR home will give you a feeling of serenity and safety. You can finally arrange your photos, books and decor however you want because, hey, there’s no one else there to complain.
Design an inspired space with vintage accents and a minimalist look:
- Make a contemporary statement with velvet curtains in a rich, unconventional color scheme.
- Brighten the living room with a big, glam chandelier.
- Go exotic with a zebra-printed rug or stool.
- Create a cozy reading nook illuminated by firefly string lights.
Get a Couple of Cats
The best thing about living alone is that I get to have pets. Granted, if I had a roommate I’d have a built-in pet sitter, but I’d also have to worry about them leaving out things that could be dangerous to my little fur babies. I prefer to make a deal with a neighbor who also has pets and we help each other out when we are traveling.
Keep in mind that if you work from home then having a dog is fine, but if you work in an office you may want to get two cats instead. One pet left alone all day can get very lonely and mischievous if he or she has no one to play with. Contrary to the myths, cats are actually more affectionate to their human when they’re in multi-cat households, simply because they’re happier in general. So go to your local animal shelter and pick up two cats or siblings that have bonded.
Remember: Adopt, don’t shop. If everyone who bought a pet adopted instead, there’d be no more killings in shelters. For every pet purchased, a pet in a shelter dies because he or she doesn’t have a home. To boot, shelter pets are just as well behaved and actually have far fewer health issues than purebreds.
Relocate Anytime
The world is your oyster! Pursuing a career opportunity? Inspired to discover a new city?
- Laid back surfer-types drawn to the ocean may seek that SoCal lifestyle.
- Cyclists passionate about living green and recycling belong in Portland.
- Here’s why Hilary Rowland moved from NYC to France (plus lots of tips in case you want to do the same).
Once you change your perspective and realize that you could do, live, or be anywhere or anything, your whole world will open up. You have the freedom to make a career change and exciting move right now — and searching for a new place is all part of the adventure.
Enjoy the Power of Solitude
Your home is a personal sanctuary all to yourself. Not only can solitude be relaxing, it’s powerful. Solitude is a bit of a lost art, especially in this modern age of ultra-connectedness. Solitude is an opportunity to disconnect, contemplate, become comfortable with quietude and learn about yourself. Find peace, unwind and reflect. Embracing solitude at home may even inspire a solo trip abroad and an overseas adventure of a lifetime.
Here are a few things to do in your time alone:
- Keep a journal.
- Read some memoirs written by women.
- Paint, decorate or learn ceramics.
- Meditate and do yoga.
Become your own best friend, and you’ll never be lonely again!
Entertain!
Invite friends over for a dinner party and play hostess. This is your chance to have fun in your personal abode, and of course, show off what you’ve done to the place. Plan a theme for the evening, cook a delicious new recipe you’ve been waiting to try and cheers with a bottle of wine.
Volunteer to host a holiday get-together with your friends or family, or a birthday party for someone you care about. Take on the challenge to cook and introduce your friends to vegan food, bake pumpkin pies or decorate for a festive holiday or themed party. Or, order in! Whatever you chose to do, hosting is an enjoyable experience to be proud of.
What’s your favorite perk of living alone?
IT’S ALL MINE!!! Seriously though, I like that every decision is mine. If I want the whole place neat and perfectly tidy, no one leaves as much as a coffee cup on the table.If I decide its ok to not clean up this weekend, no one will be upset about it. The bathroom is mine alone. I know for a fact that no one has touched the towel I rub on my face. I won’t bother anyone by being awake late, nor will anyone bother me while I’m trying to sleep. A lot of stuff like that.
Doing what you want. You can decorate however you want. Watch tv in peace. Not worry about hogging the bathroom. Don’t need to shower on weekends. Can be a bit messy and not have to worry about cleaning up right away. Can sleep in without being disturbed. Don’t have to worry about roommates eating your food or using your shampoo. Don’t have to wear pants.
I’d have a hard time coming up with perks of having a roommate.
Doing what you want. You can decorate however you want. Watch tv in peace. Not worry about hogging the bathroom. Don’t need to shower on weekends. Can be a bit messy and not have to worry about cleaning up right away. Can sleep in without being disturbed. Don’t have to worry about roommates eating your food or using your shampoo. Don’t have to wear pants.
I’d have a hard time coming up with perks of having a roommate.
Literally everything except that it’s lonely sometimes, and everything costs twice as much.
You don’t have to negotiate or communicate about stuff like paying the rent or doing housework, you just do it. toilet paper lasts for forever. You’re alone! Walk around naked. Cook whatever you want. Watch what you want. Have guests whenever you want. No noise or drama. It’s quiet!
I love it. I’m responsible for me. Chips for dinner? Okay! Sleep in undies and a tee-shirt? Okay! Don’t clean for a week? It’s okay, nobody is there to see it!
Everything in your apartment is where it is because YOU put it there. You never have to pick up after anyone else and any mess is your own.
I love my room mate and I know I’m irrational but she leaves her beeeping!!!! coffee cup next to the sink instead of putting it in the dishwasher every.single.morning and it drives me insane.
I clean when i feel like it is the number one.
Number two is i sit in whatever state of undress i feel like being in at that moment.
Number three is that other than my trashy neighbors, i decide the noise level. If i want to stay up, i do so as normal, if i want to go to bed there is not another person who wants to stay up ruining my vibe. 🙂
My space is just that: mine. I decide the layout, the contents, and the use. For awhile I had my bed in the living room, and the bedroom as an office. I can watch absolute shit horror movies while cooking dinner. I can take hours long soaks in the tub. I can move about the apartment without consideration of another human. The chores are my responsibility, but because the mess is all mine, I don’t resent doing the tidying up. It’s awesome.
But. You have to make peace with solitude. Or else have a sufficient social life outside of the apartment to make up any interaction deficits you might have. I have three pets, and the work of their care takes up a lot of time in a way that makes me happy; I don’t know how I would fill those hours without them. And just as there is no one else to pick up after, there’s no one to pick up after or care for you. I happen to think that living alone is great, but the challenges do require foresight and care.
Complete and utter comfort in your own home. You don’t have to worry about other people making a mess, or leaving a bit of a mess if you don’t feel like cleaning it up right away. You can have people over without worrying about inconveniencing anybody. Nobody eats your food. Plus you can decorate however you like!