Independence and happiness

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What I'm wondering is if there's a link between living independently and happiness. Please answer the poll about your living situation and how happy you are. Let's see if it's generally better for us to live alone or with others.

In my case it's better to live alone, because I was severely abused by most people I ever lived with (immediate family, ex husband, room mates). Not that I love living alone. I wouldn't if I had an option.

I love living alone - I need so much time to unwind, and if I have a flatmate or family around then I can't relax properly, I have to stay alert and thinking about socialising in case I'm asked something. Bills tend to come and go unnoticed when I'm in meltdown, but electricity is slow to be cut off, and everything else is unnecessary, so I get by.

I am in a difficult situation. I live with my mom, yet I get extremely bored and lonely when I'm home. I love my mom, but she is very difficult to live with (this is a whole other story) I would like to move out on my own so I could experience the freedom to do what I want, without having to hear her crap all the time. Yet, if I moved out, I would probably be more lonely than I am now, and would struggle to keep up with my bills and everything else. I also don't want her to be alone either.

there are times when it has some appeal...

I used to live with roommates. When I had just one, it wasn't a big deal. When I had two, they got together to complain about me. I have discovered that living by myself took a lot of expectations off, so I can concentrate on finishing my degree. My concentration on my work at the time included late nights spent assembling engine parts in the lab, and their perception that I am avoiding social engagement with them is probably part of what got me into trouble when I had two roommates. Part of the reason why I haven't been dating is because I have enough trouble meeting current expectations, and I have stopped seeing some women when it seemed that I would have difficulty meeting their expectations. Now I live with my pet, so I have the ease of living alone but I'm not lonely.

I just moved back from a friend's place to my place, and I'm way glad to be back.

I still get a lot of help throughout the day, but at least my care providers leave and then leave most of the rest to electronics.

Each person's situation is different, so I wouldn't generalize as to what would be most comfortable-also, what one wants vs. what one needs aren't always aligned/compatible.

Each individual may be better or worse at the various aspects of self-care or managing one's home life. For instance, I have no problem remembering to pay my bills or feed the cat, so I handle those. Have difficulty cleaning-vacuum hurts my ears too much & dirt grosses me out, so my wonderful bf (who isn't as sensitive to noises nor as squeamish as I am) does these chores for me, from time to time.

Live alone, with my cat, in an apt. (same place for over dozen years). Am satisfied/happy with this, overall. My boyfriend checks in on me at least once a day & brings me supplies from the outside world.

So I have "best of both scenarios", because I have the space & privacy of my own place-yet also the safety, reliability, and affection of a caring person at regular intervals. (We did live together, but his snoring drove me out of my mind-I just couldn't take it). Also have counselor & social worker with whom I meet every week (that I can ask about how to get help with specific challenges/issues)-they're crucial part of maintaining my "level of functioning"/lifestyle.

I live alone, usually thats okay, sometimes great and sometimes really sucks. Unlike the rare times I've shacked up, I know that if I hear someone (has not happened) in my place that I must act fast, so for that reason its good. On the other hand I haven't had a date since July or August of 04 and that sucks!

I like to be on my own, but I wouldn't want to live alone.

I live alone but get trapped in my own world even more so and it's getting lonely. I use to share with various people but don't like people around me all the time. Feel like a change.

having my own place sounds appealing.

it has its ups and downs.