Living alone

[ColinJ]

I experienced domestic cleaning to the power of OCD once when I was a smoker in my mid-20s. I flicked ash into an ashtray. My then girlfriend jumped to her feet and emptied it. I took another drag, another flick ... She did it again! She must have emptied the ashtray 4 or 5 times during the smoking of one cigarette. It was doing my head in!

 

[MontyVeda]

The amount of times my mother walks into her completely spotless sitting room and says "Oh it's tip in here!"

 

[e-rider]

I wonder if there is a greater correlation between cyclists, a mode of transport where you can have your own space, and people who live alone.

I think there must be a strong correlation between people that live alone and people that spend lots of time on internet forums like CC!

 

[Aperitif]

I think women sometimes feel pressure to have a home that looks like a showhome because that's what they grew up with? My mum spends WAY too much time doing cleaning jobs in a clean house and that's what I grew up in, but I couldn't live like that. There's more to life. But I do feel a certain level of guilt that my home doesn't look perfect all the time....

And I agree, bedding doesn't need ironing.

It does after the first six months or so...and sweeping.

 

[Sara_H]

I admit that I have never lived alone. The closest I came to living aloe was the time between separating from my ex husband and getting my OH, though I wasn't alone because I had my son.

I found I was very lonely in the evening after mys son had gone to bed, but I LOVED being in control of myself, my household and being totally responsible for everything.

 

[swee'pea99]

The amount of times my mother walks into her completely spotless sitting room and says "Oh it's tip in here!"

Visited a friend at college once and remarked on the state of his room. He got up, grabbed an armful of stuff and flung it across the room. Then did the same again. And again. When he'd done it three or four times, he sat down again. Pause. "Notice any difference?" he said. "Nope." "Now I know it can't get any worse."

 

[BigonaBianchi]

The point above about living with kids is interesting. I have heard lots of people say they are alone when really they mean they don't live with a partner. That isn't living alone. Living alone is not having a partner, family or friends/flatmates etc. That's a lot different and takes real strength to deal with.
It's also interesting to see how others react to those in that situation. In my experience it varies from at best empathy to mostly complete blanking and assumptions of weirdness.

 

[s7ephanie]

And I agree, bedding doesn't need ironing.
No no no, sheets must be white cotton and crease free !! if i had tons of money i would have clean freshly IRONED sheets put on my bed EVERY day

 

[MarkF]

It's also interesting to see how others react to those in that situation. In my experience it varies from at best empathy to mostly complete blanking and assumptions of weirdness.

My friend has definitely gone weird, from a very gregarious person, he's now withdrawn and doing "odd" things. He's dyed what remains of his hair jet black (like Mick McManus) and taken to sunbathing in the communal gardens of his apartment in really tiny budgie smugglers, so big is his belly that he appears totally naked. It's very funny but also a bit sad, his sisters were worried he'd get arrested in the hot summer.

 

[hopless500]

In the case of people living alone, they of course have carte blanche to let their baths get as filthy as they like
View attachment 32513

Not my bath!

Eww!

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

My friend has definitely gone weird, from a very gregarious person, he's now withdrawn and doing "odd" things. He's dyed what remains of his hair jet black (like Mick McManus) and taken to sunbathing in the communal gardens of his apartment in really tiny budgie smugglers, so big is his belly that he appears totally naked. It's very funny but also a bit sad, his sisters were worried he'd get arrested in the hot summer.

I do recognize the symptoms. And although I hate sounding pessimistic, according to your description his chances of getting a new girlfriend are...shall I say, minimal*?


*and that's a very generous evaluation, as I am genuinely a very optimistic person, mind you!

 

[hopless500]

You're not a bloke - you are a domestic god!

 

[Archie_tect]

And I agree, bedding doesn't need ironing.
No no no, sheets must be white cotton and crease free !! if i had tons of money i would have clean freshly IRONED sheets put on my bed EVERY day

You could get a live-in manager's job at a care home...

 

[hopless500]

When I was younger I ironed the bedding. Not any more. Far too many other things to do and it just doesn't need it. HW - hope you're prepared for some creases

 

[MarkF]

I do recognize the symptoms. And although I hate sounding pessimistic, according to your description his chances of getting a new girlfriend are...shall I say, minimal*?

Yes I know, he needs to return to "normal" to be able to start afresh. I actually bumped into him, in said budgie smugglers, on his bike, wearing nothing else, just those and sandals, as he was going to sunbathe in the park, via the towpath, a busy towpath. As he approached I was thinking "WTF! Is this guy naked or what?", before I recognised him. When a person thinks this is normal behaviour, it's a long road back.