In all seriousness - how do you become okay with being alone? It seems I need to take a break from men for a while and concentrate on myself, but how does that work? I have a 7 year old daughter, no friends and work from home the majority of the time - so very little interaction with others. Just wondering what you wise Minglers had to say.

(((Ledi))) it takes being comfortable with yourself and your daughter and knowing that it's not the time for someone else in your life right now.. Being here and mingling will take your mind off feeling lonely, reading, etc...

Break from seeing men on dates or in life? Dates, don't accept or ask. Seeing them, avoid steeping out or peering out window! LOL!!! The hardest part would be overcoming the desire to be with someone, esp if work from home. You will conquer and overcome!

Thanks. I have my ups and downs.

I have lots of friends. i also don't like to sit still, so i always keep busy.

After my car accident in February, I moved to a place where I don't know anybody, and there is very little chance of my meeting anyone here. So I am pretty much alone all the time.

I don't really know how to explain it, but I think there is a point where you just start to understand that this is how things are, this is how things are going to be. You can always try to do something to change it, but -- when you try enough things, and none of them work, you learn to deal with the reality.

I stay busy, I write all the time -- in that way, this is a good thing -- and, when I start to feel lonely, I just remember how bad my past relationships turned out to be, and how I'd much rather be alone than go through anything like being married again.

You learn. You cope. You deal with it.

((Ledi)) I have been single for 8 years. Dated once recently for the first time. That didn't go too well. Though I will say we are still friends. I, like yourself, don't have any friends. I moved to Austin and the ones I had here are gone.

Prncs is right...mingling helps, so does watching a movie, getting out for air and I have found that working out has helped as well.

It takes time to get use to it. I have been alone for several years just raising my boys, now their older and I want to get out there. I think I waited too long cause now I feel some what anti-social and when the opportunity comes along to go out, I usually don't.
If you can't enjoy your own company no one else will... so I have heard

Thank you all

It's not always easy. Thats for sure.

I am a single parent too. Funny - I don't feel alone because of my child.

Winx, I don't when she is here, but she's gone all day and LOVES spending the weekends with my parents - when she's gone - I sometimes let how alone I am get to me.

I understand.

My child is usually with me. When my child spends the night elsewhere (which in not often), I just look at it as "me" time.

I move furniture all the time.

Oh you said seriously.

I've learned to embrace it. I've been "alone" damn near much of the last 15 yrs, if by alone you mean no man, no social life. 99% of the time I'm fine with it. Once in a great while I get hit with an overwhelming desire to interact with other people but it passes pretty quickly, usually after I switch the living room around. I found things to enjoy that can be done alone...reading, writing, puzzles, exercise. I have pets and my son to love and do things with, and I'm self sufficient. For me personally, that's been enough.

That being said, I don't suggest you spend the next 15 years alone. Take your break and then get back in the game girl!! JMO