The Art of Living Alone and Loving It!

Whether you view living alone as the ultimate compromise or the ultimate luxury, it presents daily challenges, such as cooking for one, organising holidays, juggling finances, and avoiding the siren call of wine, Ugg boots and Netflix. And there are the less tangible tests, like nailing the octopus of loneliness to the wall, and holding your head high in a society where solo living is viewed (consciously or not) as the runner-up prize.

Author Jane Mathews believes that to be truly content living alone, it pays to examine every aspect of your life-relationships, health, home, finances, interests and spirituality-and then take action. No matter what your unique situation, there's something here for you. Jane provides the map and you choose the route to a more joyful, contented life.

Ten things I learned from writing this book:

1. Some of the strongest, most capable, most sociable, most loving people in the world live alone.

2. You have to like yourself. Nothing else will work until you nail this one.

3. Living alone is a skill that requires effort, but you will find strength you never knew you had.

4. Reframe the issue. Focus on living your life to the full. You just happen to live by yourself.

5. Being alone does not equate to being lonely.

6. You, and only you, are responsible for your happiness. It lies in your hands (the safest place for it).

7. Being alone gives you the time and space to unearth who you are and who you want to be.

8. Most people lie about what they eat alone.

9. The world belongs to those who do.

10. Tops with buttons up the back are Satan’s triumph.

To purchase the book, click here. For more on the author, check out her website.