Happiness in Living Alone

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
I thought some of these drawings were pretty neat! Click arrow to go to next page...more HERE.

Sometimes, in the rush to be seen, to be popular and to feel loved and accepted by others, we forget about the simple but fulfilling joy of solitude.

This is where artist Aeppol finds her inspiration. In a series of beautiful and whimsical illustrations that convey calm and tranquillity, her work celebrates the innocence of youth, the beauty of nature and the happiness that can be found simply by being alone. “I feel special from very tiny things - fairy tales that I loved when I was young, some dream stories, tiny wildflowers, and white clouds in the blue sky,” Aeppol told Bored Panda. “And these are a huge part of my drawings.”

Aeppol's forest girl represents the dream of many of us, who seek the introverted pleasures getting away from it all and reconnecting with nature. “If we live busy in the city, we may lose many of the moments we can spend in nature,” she explained. “Especially in Korea, which is famous for “Quick and quick”. But I think that's why the time in nature is more valuable. I think communicating with nature is really important to me and to my work.”

It seems that there is quite of lot of the forest girl in Aeppol herself, who took on the decision to quit her hectic life to follow her dream. “I work now as a freelancer at home alone, but when I was at work, I had to work with a lot of people, she said. “Sometimes I had to work with people who I don't want to work with. Sometimes I had work that I don’t want to be involved with. At one point, I was so tired of doing it that, I quit my job and started to paint my own picture that I had dreamed about.”

“I wanted to find my own Wonderland in the bleak and stuffy city. The daily life of a little girl doing what she wanted to do without having to do in the blue and the wide woods, gave me rest and joy. I want to continue to draw pictures of this little girl who is full of freedom, dream, innocence, and imagination.”

Aeppol aims to capture those times that so easily pass us by in our hectic and busy lives, precious moments that shine all the brighter for their brevity. In order to do that, she has to get out of the city whenever she can. “I was born and raised in Seoul, the capital of Korea, she told Bored Panda. “If you drive for just one or two hours from Seoul, you'll see the ocean with the cool sounds of the waves, and the dense forest where you can hear the song of the nameless birds. Sometimes, if you are lucky, you can meet the squirrel which is my favorite animal, too.”

“I don't know how Korea is portrayed in other countries, but there are still many beautiful, peaceful, and tranquil places in Korea. Every weekend I try to take times off to find the theme of my painting and come back with a lot of wonderful sights in my eyes.” “Thanks to all of my international fans loving my art work.”
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Well said, Merlin. Your are so right, the difference between coming back to a house where you know no one will be there and/or being in your house alone and knowing no one will be walking through the door is not a comparable feeling to knowing undeniably, no one will be there. A choice would surely be nice.
 
CindyLouWho said:
Well said, Merlin. Your are so right, the difference between coming back to a house where you know no one will be there and/or being in your house alone and knowing no one will be walking through the door is not a comparable feeling to knowing undeniably, no one will be there. A choice would surely be nice.
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precisely...I've been in both situations...
 
Generally I am not good alone. Years ago while in a casino in Las Vegas I came to a blackjack table where the female dealer was alone with an emptly player board. In an effort just to greet her as I sat down there I said "you looked lonely here!" I meant nothing by that, just trying to be friendly. She looked at me coldly and said " I am alone, not lonely!" I thought about that, took into account all the passes she probably endured and decided it was a good reply to my use of the word "lonely".
 
I was never alone until when I hit about 65, retired totally and have no problem whatsoever being along. Had a busy life, lots of work, friends, activities, husband at one time, bf's many, lots of girlfriends, played a lot of bridge. and then at 72 had a hip replacement which really turned my life upside down. Really messed my body. So I spend a lot of time alone, go out with a friends for dinner or lunch, go to DR appts when needed, my friends take me, I gave up driving and sold car due to knee mess from the hip surgery....

I'm 80 and love my memories and living in apt bldg have enough activity around that I see people. Some friends help me around here.
 
I like being alone, but I know, at around 5 PM, my live-in LTR will be coming through the door. We had a very recent separation, for about three weeks, and it was terrible. After thirteen years, we had grown to not only depend on each other, but we also took for granted our presence in each other's lives. As I type this, she's on her computer, on her desk, behind me. It is a great feeling just sharing space, together. Also, meeting up with the type of women who have never been married, at our age, or were married less than ten years in their entire lives, as I did with a handful of recent internet dates, I came to greatly appreciate, even more, my LTR. Both of us have been married, before, for around twenty years. We know what it takes to keep a relationship going, although we both let things go, a bit, over the last year. That, we are working on, now, successfully, to get back on track.I imagine that if I have to ever face the single life, again, at an advanced age, I will either move into a retirement community that has lots of activities available, or I will do something else, to be decided later.
 
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We have been married for 48 years, and our lives have developed into a peaceful place for us. We are like two lifeguards swimming alone, each one alert and ready to save the other. I cannot imagine living alone at any age. When she has gone for a week to visit our daughter in Colorado, it was like my world was empty.

Recently, I have been thinking on our marriage vows, and what a comfort they are. As I thought of single people, unmarried, widowed, divorced or other, I wondered if there was a set of vows for them, alone. If not, maybe there should be. Maybe there needs to be.:confused:
 
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Good for you.

I have not seen many good marriages in my lifetime. Parents hung in for 63 yrs and SHE took care of him and he was lost when she passed first. Talk about dependency.
 
I love those paintings SeaBreeze. Reminds me of myself growing up. I had friends but enjoyed being alone as well and never ever was bored. These days the hubby and I are like comfortable old shoes and we both enjoy our own space which is very important to us. I'm glad I have an extra room where I can putter to my hearts content. He spends his time in our sitting room in front of the tube. Once in awhile we check to see if the other is still breathing.
 
I've never lived alone since the day I was born. Home with my folks, military service, married before my discharge, 4 kids, a flock of grands, and now eight great grands. All but 2 of this crowd we see on a regular basis. We share the old homestead with a daughter, SIL, and two young adult kids. And if animals count, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a turtle. :)


I'll admit that after these many years, I would be devastated to ever find myself alone. Maybe if I'd had a few years of "practice" along the way, I'd see it in a different light.
 
DaveA said:
I've never lived alone since the day I was born. Home with my folks, military service, married before my discharge, 4 kids, a flock of grands, and now eight great grands. All but 2 of this crowd we see on a regular basis. We share the old homestead with a daughter, SIL, and two young adult kids. And if animals count, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a turtle. :)


I'll admit that after these many years, I would be devastated to ever find myself alone. Maybe if I'd had a few years of "practice" along the way, I'd see it in a different light.
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Brings up concern for a friend......

He lived at home till military, returned home, then marriage/kids for 36 years. Divorce , hooks up with & marries an old G/F , married 7+ years. Divorced again. Now older, no prospects, for the first time in his life, he is now living alone.

I'm not sure he likes it, and not sure how he is dealing with it?....time will tell.
 
I can't speak from experience but I would think it better to go through one's divorce stage early rather than later and I do realize that we don't "plan" divorces but, I would think that declining energy, health and choice of options tend to close a lot of doors as one ages.
 
DaveA said:
I can't speak from experience but I would think it better to go through one's divorce stage early rather than later and I do realize that we don't "plan" divorces but, I would think that declining energy, health and choice of options tend to close a lot of doors as one ages.
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I agree completely, I divorced 46 yrs ago. Glad I went through it when I did. Circumstances were such that I never remarried . As such I accepted living alone over the years. No big deal. Yes , to some degree i miss dating [too old] and yet again, not sure I do..:D In the end, I think I prefer the way it turned out & how it is.

Will admit though that I miss my social circle , we all aged. Three died, actually @ 69 I'm the youngest one left. And we just don't get together any longer.

My friend that is recently divorced is older, stops by for a beer,etc. So that's about it.
 
I like my solitude, am seldom lonely. Living in a retirement complex I can always go downstairs and meet someone
to talk to. I have my circle of friends and we meet for social outings and shared meals here in the dining room
I have my family and I know they are there if and when needed; but they have their own families and lives.
I have my cat for company so really am not alone.
 
I've lived alone for decades. Even when I was married I was alone most of the time. After the divorce I dated a little bit but decided to dedicate my time to raising my daughter which I do not regret. She's a lovely woman who gave me two beautiful granddaughters plus my son in law seems to like me.

Perhaps I became too comfortable living alone. Some of my friends have either died or they retired and moved to be closer to their children or moved to a better climate. I probably became a bit cynical about relationships, at least where I'm concerned. I'd rather be alone and happy than be in a relationship and miserable. It's hard to trust, I'll admit that. Perhaps if I'd ever experienced a happy relationship it would be different but now I'm so set in my ways I'm not sure anyone could stand to be around me for any length of time.

I suppose one of these days should I ever fail to find a way to entertain myself, I will let my gray hair grow very long, I'll wear black, get some cats and be that old lady on the block everyone wonders about.
 
rgp said:
I agree completely, I divorced 46 yrs ago. Glad I went through it when I did. Circumstances were such that I never remarried . As such I accepted living alone over the years. No big deal. Yes , to some degree i miss dating [too old] and yet again, not sure I do..:D In the end, I think I prefer the way it turned out & how it is.

Will admit though that I miss my social circle , we all aged. Three died, actually @ 69 I'm the youngest one left. And we just don't get together any longer.

My friend that is recently divorced is older, stops by for a beer,etc. So that's about it.
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dkay said:
I've lived alone for decades. Even when I was married I was alone most of the time. After the divorce I dated a little bit but decided to dedicate my time to raising my daughter which I do not regret. She's a lovely woman who gave me two beautiful granddaughters plus my son in law seems to like me.

Perhaps I became too comfortable living alone. Some of my friends have either died or they retired and moved to be closer to their children or moved to a better climate. I probably became a bit cynical about relationships, at least where I'm concerned. I'd rather be alone and happy than be in a relationship and miserable. It's hard to trust, I'll admit that. Perhaps if I'd ever experienced a happy relationship it would be different but now I'm so set in my ways I'm not sure anyone could stand to be around me for any length of time.

I suppose one of these days should I ever fail to find a way to entertain myself, I will let my gray hair grow very long, I'll wear black, get some cats and be that old lady on the block everyone wonders about.
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Sounds a lot like me. I divorced early and never looked back. I enjoy being my own person... doing what I want, when I want.

My only child died young many years ago. Two of my close friends died recently. Another friend is a lot older and in poor health. My older brother is all that is left of my immediate family. So it appears I will be the last to go.

.
 
I've lived alone for most of my adult life,never found "Mr. Right'.
My brother&sister don't live here,I have a group of close friends I consider my 'extend family',would do anything for them and vice versa.
I stay active,enjoying the things I like to do.I see my friends all the time.
At times I do get lonely, but all in all I'm content with my life. Sue
 
moviequeen1 said:
I've lived alone for most of my adult life,never found "Mr. Right'.
My brother&sister don't live here,I have a group of close friends I consider my 'extend family',would do anything for them and vice versa.
I stay active,enjoying the things I like to do.I see my friends all the time.
At times I do get lonely, but all in all I'm content with my life. Sue
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I thought I found Mr. Right and he left me for another Mrs. Right over 40 yrs ago. I raised one child and had a lot of years of work and good times and traveling and am VERY content alone. See people when we choose to get together, but happy when it's quiet again. I keep NPR on most of the day, good companion. j
 

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