{"id":48798,"date":"2026-03-06T10:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/?p=48798"},"modified":"2026-03-11T04:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:42:22","slug":"happy-living-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegoodtrade.com\/features\/happy-living-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Take Care Of Yourself When You Live Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As I look over at the dishes piled up in my sink, I smile. Every single one of those is from me \u2014 and me alone. There\u2019s no one else to clean up after, other than me and my pets. But then the realization hits: I am the only mess, but I am also<\/em> the only cleaner. And to be honest, I\u2019m not great at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Then the realization hits: I am the only mess, but I am also<\/em> the only cleaner.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I’ve lived alone for a couple of years now since my divorce. It’s been a journey of self-discovery, while I shift from having someone who had my back for those last-minute grocery runs or helping with chopping veggies for dinner. I don\u2019t have a particularly large base of friends here in Los Angeles (I\u2019m a quality-over-quantity gal), so I’ve had to learn how to be \u2014 and create \u2014 my own support system more than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But amidst all the finances, the errands, and the endless cycles of laundry, I know I need more than just the bare minimum in order to feel my best. I need the basics, yes, and I also crave moments of rest. But how do you take care of yourself when you\u2019re trying to manage it all on your own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The truth is, as I\u2019ve come to learn, you don’t do it all. That’s okay.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The truth is, as I\u2019ve come to learn, you don’t do it all. That’s okay. You couldn’t even if you tried. Instead, caring for yourself is about finding a balance and creating a life that nurtures you, even in solitude. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you don\u2019t have to live alone to appreciate these tips, even if you\u2019re partnered, parenting, or rooming with others, there are moments of aloneness where one needs to tend to themselves. Here\u2019s how I\u2019m supporting myself these days, and how you can, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Make everything slightly more enjoyable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the keys to thriving while living alone is to find joy in the little things. For me, this means making my meals beautiful. I plate them carefully, even when it’s takeout or a frozen dinner. There’s something special about not eating from a disposable container, but instead treating yourself to a nicely presented meal (sitting at the table instead of on the couch is a good move, too!). It’s a small act of self-respect and care that can make a world of difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“One of the keys to thriving while living alone is to find joy in the little things.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

I also try to add sensory indulgences in other ways \u2014 like, instead of just taking a shower for the sake of cleanliness, I integrate my favorite soaps and shampoos. They don\u2019t have to be super fancy, just something you enjoy slightly more than the default (honestly, I am hooked on a Dial body wash that I purchase every time it\u2019s on sale). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elevating your every day isn\u2019t always possible, especially if budget is a concern, but even small upgrades can make you feel like you’re not just subsisting, but truly living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Give yourself the gift of your own time<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When you’re on your own, it’s easy for time to slip away unnoticed. That’s why I make a conscious effort to try new things. It could be as simple as taking a different route during my daily walk, experimenting with a new recipe, or attending an open mic night \u2014 even if I’m just there to listen. These small adventures keep life interesting and prevent the days from blending into one indistinguishable blur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Small adventures keep life interesting and prevent the days from blending into one indistinguishable blur.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It’s equally important to identify what isn’t working for you. For me, it was gaming. While living with my partner, I used gaming as an escape from reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once I began living alone, I realized how much this habit was costing me in terms of my own wellness and presence in my own life. Don’t get me wrong \u2014 I don’t believe that time spent doing something you enjoy is ever wasted. But when you’re using an activity to ignore yourself and your needs, that’s when it becomes problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. And remember to mark time\u2019s passage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Living alone can lead to a lack of structure. I often find myself fluttering from one task to the next on autopilot. To combat this, I’ve started keeping a daily tracker of habits I want to work on, which also includes a little space to write down one good thing that happened each day. I do keep a more comprehensive journal, but not quite as regularly as I\u2019d like, so this simple practice helps me remember that time is passing and gives me a sense of progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Write down one good thing that happened each day.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A work diary can be incredibly helpful too (especially my work from home pals). When you’re alone, you don’t always have those external markers to tell you that you’re progressing, or the validation of someone who sees you day-to-day and recognizes your growth. Tracking your own progress becomes crucial in maintaining a sense of forward momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Create some practical strategies to support your self-care<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While the emotional aspects of living alone are crucial, there are also practical considerations to keep in mind. Here are some strategies I’ve found helpful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n