According to statistics, the majority of adults in the USA and Canada now live alone. A fairly new demographic that is just about invisible judging from the media. No one wants to talk about it or write about it, it seems, apart from some fearless bloggers that tread outwards into uncharted territory. My blog buddy Ronni Bennett wrote about it yesterday and she was also featured in a piece in the New York Times on Wednesday.
I wrote about it recently:
Alone.
Sometimes lonely.
Solitary.
Independent.
Selfish, some say.
Why?
Why not?
To choose
The perfect space
In all the world
For one
Such as me.
By me.
Sea.
Old house.
Woods.
Silence.
UPDATE
Living Single
As of 2000, the most common household type in the U.S. is a person living alone. - Hobbs, Frank. 2005. “Examining American Household Composition: 1990 and 2000.” U.S. Census Bureau.
That's lovely and reflects my feelings, but sometimes it does feel a shame not to share it with another person, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it's the majority. But for sure a lot of people live alone.
ReplyDeleteIrene:
ReplyDeletePlease send me a valid link to your new blog, I can't seem to get on board your bus!
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Hattie:
ReplyDeleteI believe it is the first time in history this has happened, and damned if I can't find a link to support this, I will keep looking and put on a PS to my original post.
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I have always adapted to my circumstances. I loved the twenty years with my husband, but in the fourteen years since his death, I adjusted well to singledom. I take each day as it comes and try to live in the moment.
ReplyDeleteThe New York Times reports that one in four lives alone. I joined that cohort nine years ago. I write, I read, I listen to music, and follow the paths I choose. I'm alone, but never bored or lonely.
ReplyDeleteI've lived with Jenny for over 30 years, and before that I lived on my own for 8 years. I didn't enjoy living on my own, but that was mainly because I was young and short of money and couldn't afford a decent place to live in. I was happy enough with my own company, I had friends and plenty of things to do.
ReplyDeleteMy husband read this out to me the other night (but can't remember where from) - I was really surprised it was so high.
ReplyDeleteI have lived alone but only while my husband was away working so thats not quite the same thing is it? And of course I had my dog too! I am quite comfortable spending time alone though.
Nice verses WWW. I didn't know about those numbers.
ReplyDeleteWomen seem to cope with being alone far better than men do. I have noticed this with the wives of five of my friends that died back in the 90s.
GM:
ReplyDeleteYes, adaptability is the key indeed and making the most of the moments.
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Marc:
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I can't recall ever being bored and I do hope none exists in my future!
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Nick:
ReplyDeleteHaving something to look forward to was always my father's mandate. I think it a key to a fulfilled existence!
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Linda:
ReplyDeleteA bit different, yes! :)
Having a dog truly helps me.
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PS are you back in NL?
GFB:
ReplyDeleteThanks!
And yes I've noticed that too amongst my male friends. They just can't cope without a partner, with rare exceptions (my father being one of the rare ones).
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I wouldn't live alone as a choice, but have done so at various times and quite enjoyed the independence of it, but in those days I had parents still alive. I may have to do so again one day in the future.
ReplyDelete"We learn by going where we have to go".... I think living alone is easier when one has close family alive, even if seen infrequently, one still belongs to something, so complete alone-ness is diluted.
Excellent point T - having family -parents or children is ideal. Close friends have always been important to me also. To have no one must be a far, far different experience.
ReplyDeleteThen again we never miss what we never had and can idealize it.
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A lot of people surely do live alone. I've lived life with and without sharing an abode. I think what's important is to have caring people in my life and we don't necessarily have to share the same living environment. In fact, as I age, when I feel well living alone is better. When I'm ill, sometimes I think it might be nice to have someone else in the house. The story of life -- sometimes wanting what we don't have at any point in time.
ReplyDeleteAnd another point worth mentioning Joared is that we can sometimes feel inutterably alone when living with another. I know I have.
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I want to live alone. I have everything organised to do that. I am simply not able to as events over which I have no control keep taking place and I am stuck in a care giver role. I hope that at some point of time it will be possible for me to live alone.
ReplyDeleteDespite the mention of occasional loneliness, your poem accurately and beautifully depicts the best of living alone. My family comes and goes - when they are here I am ecstatic and when they leave, I must cross the chasm between missing them and needing my solitude. It's the only time living alone makes me ache.
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