Pro's & Con's - a single life

 PRO's

• Not being kept awake by snoring - No goodnight cuddle & no one to warm my feet.
• Being able to read / listen to radio 4 as long as I like - No one to talk over the day with.
• Having enough of the right bedclothes.

• Not having to compromise - on anything - No one to give a different perspective, new ideas.
• My books, pictures, TV programmes, music etc - No one to discuss them with.
• Eating what I want, when I want - A rubbish diet sometimes - it's not the same cooking for one.
• Along the same lines - bacon sandwiches or sausages & baked beans.
• Reading, doing the crossword, at mealtimes - Better to have someone to talk to, bicker with & make it more enjoyable & leisurely.
• Not having to do something because someone else wants to - I might have found I enjoyed it.

• Making new friends - Not easy, the world is full of couples.
• Trying doing new things - Requires effort & some courage to do it alone.
• Learning new skills - Still not brilliant with a screwdriver or a ladder!

CONS

• Possibly becoming more isolated, selfish & insular - Need to work at it not happening.
• Losing touch with couples who were friends of both of us - Fortunately not many.
• Holidays on my own - Haven't yet done it apart from going to volunteer in Nepal & there were other volunteers, so that was cheating.
• Along the same lines - outings on my own - Need to practice.
• Having to be responsible for everything that needs doing to keep the show on the road - No answer to this one. It's exhausting. Need a brain transplant!
• Only me to remember special days - There are lots of other special days to compensate.

On the whole it's OK. Life goes on, you can't get off. You need to value what you have & not hanker after what you don't have. Whatever life is now, there's always someone for whom it's worse. Finding yourself & your true voice is important.