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Solo agers identified important benefits to aging alone, ranging from freedom from obligations to feeling empowered by self-reliance and clever strategies for doing tasks alone.
Photo credit: Ishara Henry
Freedom
For older adults who have spent years being the primary caregiver to their family or who did not have time to explore a passion, being a solo ager can come with a feeling of freedom. One person told us that she spent years doing all the work for the Thanksgiving holiday and now she spends it by herself, but does not mind at all. Having four days off in a row just provides great time to really relax, she said. Painting, music, old movies, are some of the things people told us they are exploring and enjoying anew as solo agers.
"In my lifetime, everybody else came first. So… now I'm at the point where like today, I had an absolutely enjoyable day, and I just got to do what I wanted to."
Self-reliance
Learning to fix things around the house can be a new skill for some solo agers and can lead to feelings of accomplishment. "There is no one else to do it," many told us. One person told us that they learned to replace a toilet and even built a deck. Solos are continually challenged to accomplish daily tasks on their own when these tasks would be easier and safer to do with another person, such as changing high-placed light bulbs or managing heavy packages (e.g., salt for water softeners).
"I do like the challenge of figuring out ways to do things without asking for help."
Empowerment
One solo ager shared that other people are impressed with the things she can do all alone and are incredulous that someone her age has the energy she does to get things done. She said that what she does makes her stronger.
"I'm exploring artwork, I'm exploring music, some things that I've missed in my life, like going back and watching old movies that, you know, I didn't get to see. So it could be anything - and I like that freedom. I'm enjoying it, actually."
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