It’s time to get down to the logistics of living as a soloist. Here are some things that have worked for me:
- Put a light on a timer.
This wasn’t my idea, it was suggested to me by a clerk in a Sears Hardware store who had recently lost his wife. “I couldn’t stand coming home to a dark house,” he said. I agree, especially in the winter.
- Hide some keys.
Who are you going to call when you lock yourself out? No one. You don’t need to because you had the foresight to hide keys to your car and your home. When I lived in my Park Ridge condo, the contractor called urgently to ask if I would go to my house, meet the contractor there, and let the building inspector in for an unscheduled visit. But I didn’t need to go home. Instead, I directed the contractor to a metal park bench two blocks from my home, where a key in a magnetic holder hung from the underside.
- Cook for more than one.
Coooking for yourself all the time gets old and eating out gets expensive. Instead, cook for four (or a crowd). Eat one portion, refrigerate one portion to eat later in the week, and freeze the remaining two portions.
- Pay to be touched.
You probably get an occasional hug from a colleague or a friend, but that’s not enough. Go get a massage, get a pedicure, or if you wear a buzz cut, get the MVP from Sports Clips. Touch is necessary.
- Get an AAA membership.
Sure you have friends you can call at 3AM, but it’s nice to know you can call a stranger instead.
- Enjoy conversation during meals.
Eat alone without feeling alone by listening to podcasts.
- Splurge on little luxuries.
Light the good candle. Buy yourself flowers (a bunch of alstroemeria costs $7 and will last 3 weeks if you change the water every few days). Drink filtered water from a crystal glass. Use 100% cotton or linen napkins.
Chewing the Cud of Good
Who knew pinecones waiting to be born could look like bananas?
