A beautiful video has been popping up all over the interwebs, called “How To Be Alone.” Perhaps not surprisingly, the majority of its fans are female. After all, which gender’s more likely to over-analyze something as simple as being alone?
Exactly.
But while I think the video is a a wonderful love letter to oneself, I wasn’t as taken with it as some other people were, and I think I know why.
I love being alone.
I crave it, actually. The proof comes in many forms: the choice I make often to stay in on work nights, brewing coffee for one, recently moving into my one bedroom apartment. This may sound a bit depressing, but on the contrary; I absolutely love it. Having lived with roommates for 4 years, I’ve experienced what it’s like to share your life with other people. To time your meals so you get free reign of the kitchen, to know your roommate’s schedules so you can have alone time with a member of the opposite sex and by the same token, arrange times to get together and catch up over coffee or cocktails.
But the way I see it, now it’s my turn.
My turn to walk around my place in a tank top and underwear while sipping a glass of red wine and shamelessly watching “Bachelor Pad.” My turn to live by my own schedule. My turn to decorate this apartment a la Ali, because guess what? It’s all mine. It’s my turn to be selfish, in the most healthy way possible.
I never have to worry about becoming one of those ladies who lives alone with her 50 cats, because a) I despise cats and b) I’m too social a person to ever fall into that cliche.
So as I watched that video for the first time in its entirety, I couldn’t help but identify with her a little too much. Because I love being alone. And now, I actually know how.
href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7X7sZzSXYs
For another take on the video “How to Be Alone” from Life As A Human, click here.
Mallory says
I wholeheartedly agree! There’s such a taboo associated with a woman being alone, when it is actually healthy for anyone (regardless of gender) to get back to basics and really indulge in being comfortable with themselves.