I'm an only, and I LOVE my alone time. There's nothing I enjoy more than going to the movies by myself or going to dinner by myself when I'm traveling for work. Nothing better than eating a good meal while reading a book and enjoying a glass of wine! I like to joke that I had an only child myself because I'm so selfish with my time.

I'm a good mix of extrovert and introvert (slightly more extroverted), but my extremely "people helper"ish job just drains all desire to be around people in my free time.

My only child son, on the other hand, can't stand to be alone, which is why we host kids to spend the night every single weekend. The upside for me is that I can escape to my room with a good book and be alone!

Please, keep posting more tales of people who love and protect their alone time!

I have felt guilty my *entire life* for preferring to be on my own, since I was surrounded by what I finally saw as a family of extroverts. I want to hear more tales of how it's okay!

Anonymous wrote:i'm an only and LOVE being alone.

i'm not a recluse, but i like being in control of my time, and will engage / entertain at my discretion (I also have a public facing job, so i really value my downtime).

This. I'm the same way.

Anonymous wrote:This is more of a personality thing than because you are an only child.

For me the only downside of being an only child is that elderly parent care devolves to me, with no other sibling to shoulder the burden. Great.

Look on the bright side. You could be caring for elderly family members AND dealing with drug-addicted siblings who can't keep a job! (waves)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am an only and I am exactly like you. I HATE being alone and I also feel like I'm trying to fill a void of not having a sibling. I'm a generally happy person but I get down very quickly when I don't get adult conversation.

You are an extrovert. My best friend is like this, and she is one of six very loud, boisterous siblings. She goes crazy on nights that she does not have something social scheduled. She will put her kids to bed and call people to come over if her husband is traveling. I am one of three, but an introvert who feels exhausted just hearing about her social schedule.

We may have the same friend

This is an extrovert/introvert thing.

I have a friend with FOUR sisters and she's always looking for someone to come over and entertain her!

Anonymous wrote:I am an only and I am exactly like you. I HATE being alone and I also feel like I'm trying to fill a void of not having a sibling. I'm a generally happy person but I get down very quickly when I don't get adult conversation.

You are an extrovert. My best friend is like this, and she is one of six very loud, boisterous siblings. She goes crazy on nights that she does not have something social scheduled. She will put her kids to bed and call people to come over if her husband is traveling. I am one of three, but an introvert who feels exhausted just hearing about her social schedule.

I am an only and I am exactly like you. I HATE being alone and I also feel like I'm trying to fill a void of not having a sibling. I'm a generally happy person but I get down very quickly when I don't get adult conversation.

This is more of a personality thing than because you are an only child.

For me the only downside of being an only child is that elderly parent care devolves to me, with no other sibling to shoulder the burden. Great.

i'm an only and LOVE being alone.

i'm not a recluse, but i like being in control of my time, and will engage / entertain at my discretion (I also have a public facing job, so i really value my downtime).