Living Alone Doesn't Have to be Lonely

Maybe you are considering filing for divorce, but are terrified that you won’t be able to cope with the loneliness of the single life. It’s true, being single often involves having your own space, and maybe you are craving some companionship. However, you don’t have to succumb to the loneliness of your life apart from a spouse who hasn’t lived up to your expectations. The U.S. Census says that there are about 31 million one-person households in the U.S., and this is the country’s fastest-growing living unit. Therefore, even if you may feel like it, you are far from alone in your situation.

A study at the University of Chicago admits that single men often take poor care of themselves and end up in bad health as they age. They drink too much, don’t eat healthy, are less likely to wear seat belts when driving, and often have unprotected sex. Single women tend to fare better than their male counterparts because they form tight girl friendships which give them the social support that they need to lack in loneliness. Yet while in the past researchers saw a definite gap in the health and emotional welfare of the married and unmarried, that split has narrowed to near nothing.

The University of Texas concluded that the option of single life is becoming an increasingly popular option without a lot of adverse results. Those who are not married can form a family by networking. Currently, the definition of a family is changing, and more and more men and women are finding out that by gathering close friends they can eliminate their loneliness. Eric Klinenberg, the author of a book about living alone called Going Solo, says that there is a large distinction between social isolation and living alone. While the first is unhealthy, the latter can provide unique opportunities and relationships that married couples are never able to experience. So don’t be worried when it comes to divorce, living alone does not have to be lonely, and could be the best decision if you are trying to escape a dismal marriage.