Comments on: Being With Yourself: Lessons in Lone Ranging

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:40:24 +0000

As a freak magnet too wise to pair up with the loony tunes that have come my way, I adapted to solitude rather than succumb to desperation and eventual miserable company. When (or if) the right person comes along, then I’ll pair up. Until then, I’m quite content.

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By: Charlie Claw's - Wasini Island

Charlie Claw's - Wasini Island — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:07:11 +0000

although it’s important for people to be able to get by in this world alone, it is satisfying when you can do it with others or someone special (in the case of a relationship).
i think parents need to foster independence in their children so that they don’t grow up feeling needy.

regarding VDay, it’s all about marketing ($) and less about love. my 2 cents.

Cheers!

Sally & Steve Mullens, and the cheery Charlie Claw’s team

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By: Alouise

Alouise — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:21:32 +0000

Great article. For me Valentine’s day is just another day. I think it’s nice to have a day to celebrate love and whatnot, but really if you love someone – shouldn’t you show it every day? Valentine’s always seems a bit cheesy to me, with pink teddy bears and chocolate hearts… maybe it’s cause I’m always single on Valentine’s day. If you’re assuming I’m jaded or cynical about it, I’m not. It is what it is. I’m not looking for love and I’m not expecting it to find me. I’m content with myself and I quite enjoy being single. For Valentine’s this year I’m celebrating by going to dinner with a friend and then watching Avatar. Being a single girl on Valentine’s doesn’t mean I have to make a date with Ben & Jerry’s and Jack Daniels.

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By: Robyn

Robyn — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:16:25 +0000

No doubt she appreciated your sensitivity to that aspect. I would have too.

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:23:59 +0000

That’s a great point, Robyn.

Some people do prefer being single and not having the so-called life partner. A good friend of mine feels this way. For years, her family and friends have pressured her, tried to set her up with people, asked if, asked if she’s a lesbian and then tried to set her up with women.

Finally, I asked her if she actually wanted to get married or have a committed partner. She stopped, thought and while and then told me that I was the first person who had ever asked that question.

It’s so often assumed that we must.

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By: Robyn

Robyn — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:17:42 +0000

Hi,
And even if it’s not temporary, that doesn’t have to be a problem – IF one likes being alone – obviously. I adore my solitude. Thrive on it, but I know that’s not the norm. I can get people time whenever I want it because I have several close long-term friends and some new kindred spirits in my life. Intimacy is so nice when it’s authentic and mutual with a great connection. But waiting for that to happen or spending too much time looking for it is not worth sacrificing quality alone time, imho.
I still believe in serendipity.

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By: Candice Walsh

Candice Walsh — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:31:19 +0000

Oh man. Let’s hope it’s temporary.

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By: Turner

Turner — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:28:05 +0000

If it’s a temporary condition, then I retract my previous statement.

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By: Leigh Shulman

Leigh Shulman — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:40:54 +0000

Turner,

I come to this from the opposite perspective. I am NEVER alone. Ever. Unless you mean an hour by myself in the house before Lila or Noah get home. Or one of LIla’s friends comes over. Or sitting in a coffee shop working.

And that is not really alone.

So I don’t really see this as an excuse. It simply means you enjoy your time with just you. That you don’t need another person in order to find meaning in life or in that dinner by yourself.

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By: Candice Walsh

Candice Walsh — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:34:05 +0000

I don’t think Colette necessarily means you have to be alone forever. For the time being, I’m totally fine with being alone. I dig the fact I can do whatever the hell I want, when I want. With that being said, if the right fellow happened to come along, I’d be all for getting involved.

I think being able to be independent will ultimately lead you to that right person anyway. Keeps us form jumping into lousy relationships with idiots. And then again this article isn’t necessarily about “love” either. Sometimes we all need a day or two away from friends.

That being said, I wish my mother would understand this concept and stop accusing me of being a lesbian.

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