Absolutely. It does help that I have someone wonderful though

I’ve been single for a while. I definitely view relations like an addition like you stated. I wouldn’t mind a GF right now of course, but I’m not feeling sad or lonely due to the lack of one.

Interesting thought.

I think the nugget of truth in there is that when you are involved with someone, you begin to see them as essential. Like when you break up it wrenches your heart. Whereas, before you were in the relationship, you were somehow just fine without them.

Setting boundaries and not getting heartbroken is nice and all. But heartbreak can also be a great teacher.

As the poet Gibran writes: "Even as love crowns you, so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth, so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your heights and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so too shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth."

That, at least for me, is a hard question to answer. I've been happy while in relationships and happy living alone.

So I think it depends on the person... who they are and not if they are alone or paired up.

Then too, what is alone? Are we ever truly alone? I've been single now for years and I don't feel alone.

I don't know. I think I'm just so happy I can be free of the stress of what people think relationships are, I'm content.

There's a difference in being happy and content. Being alone now I have learned to be content with myself. Who I lost cannot be replaced. I have accepted that but still grieve.

Only child who had a corporate job that required a lot of solo travel. I’ve been comfortable in my own company for a long time, for better or worse when it comes to connecting.

Absolutely! I was an only child. I learned very early how to entertain myself.

Yes