Being single and living alone can be pretty awesome, and these illustrations show why.
Created by LA-based painter, illustrator and occasional animator, Yaoyao Ma Van As, this series of illustrations pretty much sums up the magic of living alone. From leaving your marks everywhere to cleaning up whenever you want - living alone really has its perks. Keep on scrolling to check them out and don't forget to vote for your favorites!
More info: yaoyaomavanas.com
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Enjoying Some Peace And Quiet
Hmmmmh..... Not to underestimate the situation and the illustration (very beautiful picture, seriously), but can you really afford a house like that when you live alone?
Looks nice. Though when living alone I certainly can't afford such a huge apartment, or the dog, and no forest nearby to have a walk in. Same for all my living-alone friends. Who does these pictures refer to ?
Where my daughter lives (Omaha) she and her fiancé, who have average jobs/salaries can afford a beautiful home with a $750 mortgage that would go for three or four times that in so cal where I live. Granted our salaries for those same jobs are higher out here, but not high enough to offset the cost of living difference. She could buy a home on her own there, but most married couples can't do it here. It depends on the market you're in.
It's an illustration. She could be living in a fairytale castle and ride a unicorn to the supermarket if the artist wanted it so.
Playing With Your Pup
Hiding from Charlie is impossible. When I'm home, he knows where I am every minute, and he's usually close by. Its why he's my best friend. :D
My Charlie is a German Shepherd and they are butt dogs, always up your butt! Lol
Load More Replies...Of course you can...but the bond between singles and their animals is really something else.
Load More Replies...Great illustrations. Not hating or anything like this, but technically you are not alone since you have a pet. But I do completely understand what you mean. Everyone needs some alone time now and then.
I can't hide from my dog and as soon as l lie down somewhere she goes and throws herself wherever I am laying. :) she is my baby
THAT IS MY PUP! His name is Scamper and when we're alone together I talk to him and play silly games. He never judges. DSCN0030-2...70a9f7.jpg
Escaping Reality
Reading is one of my greatest pleasures, but I've switched to my Nook eReader. That way I can carry it anywhere I choose to go, and it holds a charge for a long time. My favorite spots are the couch, or my queen bed, where Charlie can be next to me, and I can pet him while I read. When I was young, I would never have dreamed of such a thing. :O
This comment sounds likes a youtube sponsor for the Nook.
Load More Replies...WHO HAS A BOOK ROOM LIKE THAT?!? IT LOOKS LIKE A LIBRARY! (Btw, as a person who loves reading more than anything, this is my dream)
I read ,read, read. My iPad peruses my state's online free libraries . Right now , I have 3 books loaded & 13 in reserve. Why buy best sellers , when you can read for free.
Who buys best-sellers anyway? I buy older and used books, collecting all the writings of certain authors and all sorts of non-fiction and biography. Most of those are not available through "free" libraries because they aren't "popular." Besides, I want a REAL book to be able to read and read and mark pages and read again.
Load More Replies...I love, love, the smell of books! Old or new. I love to read. Then I love to pass the books on to someone else to read! Got to share the passion! Sometimes it's a sister, or even someone I don't know! What a pleasure to see the face of someone who loves to read, get a free book, and is only asked, to pass it on !
I would like to have a room full of books, there's nothing quite like a book!
I just love the covers of books, and the colors, the art. I have a 12' bookshelf filled with books and mementos and it's an ever-evolving atlas of my life. My cat loves curling up in it.
Working Whenever You Feel Like It
I've lost count of the times I work best at night, in my basement shop, making beautiful things for my clients. Owls always do best in the evenings, and for me, this is no exception. :D
My wife snores like an outboard motor & is a heavy sleeper, so I could get up & work at 3am during an earthquake, so yeah. I'm always more creative at night. Something about after sundown, day's work done, & I can feel things settling into a pile of ideas to riffle thru in my head.
Load More Replies...living alone doesn't mean you are a dirty or messy person, I live alone and I love to keep my place clean and organized, I clean after me all the time, I like my place, clothes and bed to smell clean, adn be clean. I don't know why they assume if you live alone you would live in a dirty and messy place.
Yes. You don't have to clean up continually after someone else, either.
Load More Replies...Yup. Binge-eat and binge-watch Netflix during the day, procrastinate work during the day, and work at night, sleep deprived
That right there is the sweetspot - when I do my best, most creative work
Load More Replies...I work best at night, even at home at home I clean and do chores at night
There's something extremely unrealistic in this picture: what kind of dog leaves food in its food bowl?! o.O :D (except my anorexic dog)
I use a self-feeder for Charlie, and he only eats when he is hungry. Once a dog realizes he/she has nothing to worry about, they settle down and do not overeat.
Load More Replies...Spilled dogfood. I see that with people I know.
Load More Replies...Worked out of my house for decades until I retired. It's a blessing and a curse. You do find yourself working at 3AM...and justifying sneaking off at 2PM.
I can't I have people who depends on me. Besides myself, I have 2 beautiful monsters.
Enjoying A Cup Of Tea While Watching The Rain
I think with the right partner you can do all of these... You know it works when being alone together is practically the same as being alone on your own because you know each other so well that there is no pretence and you both know who you truly are
Load More Replies...Coffee for me.. and yes, coffee and choc chip cookies while watching the rain.
Doing Nothing All Day
Your little four-legged child would never sleep there, because of your moving legs. The little fellow would either move up next to you, or jump off the bed. That's why Charlie sleeps next to me, where I can stroke him and talk to him. :D
My akita dog does sleep pretty much like this pretty often. She puts her paw and her head on my leg or over my hips if she's higher on the bed. Then of course I can't move lol but she does it.
Load More Replies...Just chillin all day, relaxing on your bed, lookin at Facebook with your loyal pet at your feet, or wherever he wants to sleep
Dancing Like No One Is Watching (Cause No One Is)
Most of all , the way u use light , is what makes your frames look magical *.*
You should be the top comment. Go up, you! *.*
Load More Replies...Best way to do the dishes. I have separate playlists for each chore.
Love the spontaneity in this one! Plus the loads of unwashed dishes! I'm married and we have a dishwasher, but stacks of unwashed dishes still occur!
Cuddling With Your Best Friend
Charlie, my shih-tzu, loves to cuddle up close at night. When he gets too warm, he will move away . But once he cools off, he burrows into me once more. Its his way of saying "I love you Daddy."
i have a shih-tzu! his name is jimmy. i also have a shih-tzu poodle cross called lola
Load More Replies...Wow, Lou. I don't envy your experiences with humans.
Load More Replies...This is bitter sweet. One of my dogs Daisy passed away a month ago. Rest in tranquility sweet pupper your borks will forever echo in my heart.
Animals are a gift from God. Truly Man's, and Woman's, Best Friend.
Binge Eating All You Want
Ah yes! This is how I imagined my death scene would look like. Me lounging on the couch surrounded by boxes of takeaway with Netflix playing in the background...What a way to go
Unless they find you within 2 hours after you started Netflix, then all that's playing in the background will be the question, "are you still watching? "
Load More Replies...Looks good but mine would be B&R's Choclate Chip and a glass of Chardonnay watching Anthony Bourdain in any of his shows. Life don't get no better than that. RIP Tony.
Being A Little Clumsy
my first thought was "OMG IS THE DOG OK" then i saw it was far away from the coffee and relaxed.thank god please never hit the dog!!
Bathing As Long As You Want
Am I the only one that doesn't find baths in this kind of tub that relaxing? I'm not able to stretch out in them. I much prefer a hot tub or hot spring.
Yeah, i prefer the baths in Japan, the water comes up to your neck, and you fill it right to the top and you can splash as much as you want over on the floor. Soo nice! I miss it so much 😩😭
Load More Replies...Is anybody else scared to death of bathing alone?!? I never take a bath when I'm the only one home because I'm terrified of slipping, hitting my head, losing consciousness, and then drowning. I don't think I'm being too paranoid though; this actually happened to my professor's daughter!!
;have to agreee but my tub is like this one and I am short but it is too small should have lay in them in the store before buying
I remember going to a week long sales meeting and coming home exhausted. My husband ran a bath for me and I fell asleep in it and only woke up when the water turned cold. He put me in bed an I slept for ten hours. Felt so much better. Being alone is great, but having a great husband is great too.
Enjoying The Little Things
I am blessed to be able to enjoy little things.... a hummingbird outside the front window; watching a turtle bury its eggs in the yard; electric colored, shy , bluebirds with a new family; wild ducks munching on sunflower seeds , a stray fox or wild turkey .... the beautiful sunrises & sunsets that are free to all . Life is good !
Wow! You have turtles and foxes as visitors!? Where do you live?
Load More Replies...You have time to do that when you live alone. I liked being married too, but no comparison and just too busy all the time trying to keep up with myself and my partner's needs
Having A Carefree Sort Of Walk
Mum lives in Vancouver & people see her collecting leaves in the park, searching for that elusive perfectly shaped leaf. :)
Load More Replies...She does seem to spend an awful lot of time in shorts. Is it ever winter there? :D
Load More Replies...In Tasmania practically everything is evergreen, & midWinter looks like midSummer, apart from how harsh the light is. Autumn leaves are sadly hard to find. Stringy bark just isn't the same.
The smell of autumn, crunch of the leaves, the fall colors. Ahhhh.
I always have carefree walks with Tommy but Jessie is not fun as she pulls and it hurts me silly girl
Such a shame you don't have a forest nearby. It's just the best feeling to take my dog for long and relaxing walks through the woods :) (and get lost once or twice...)
Load More Replies...Having A Party With Yourself
You win the Interwebz today. Please collect your Interwebz from the table beside the exit door, as unclaimed prizes are piling up & our storage is limited...
Load More Replies...I do this a lot and singing and dancing by yourself is very good to release negative feelings
Especially in the morning... I'm not disturbing anyone. I crack the music and tv on and get ready.
Snacking Whenever You Feel Like It Without Anyone Judging You
Or eating your favourite food every day with no one knowing the depth of your obsession.
This is what life is like when you actually don't care what people think.
You can do that, but you are the one judging yourself and making yourself depressed
literally everything here you can do with your partner, except this post is for people living alone so they don't have to feel bad lol
And making up one egg's worth of cake mix and eating it all out of the bowl
Enjoying A Morning To Yourself
If this house was in Vancouver, it would probably be going for 8 million dollars D=. There goes the dream...
Load More Replies...I sit out side on the porch and drink my coffee sun, rain or whatever birds singing lovely
I am not a morning person, it could be the prettiest morning and I would still growl
Meditating Without Distractions
It was so nice when I could meditate alone...oh, with just two cats!!
I love how this artist portrays living alone as being independent and comfortable with yourself
Working The Way You Like
nothing like cuddling the fur balls best thing in the world and can take all day to do it
Yes you need to set priorities, cuddling puppy cad recharge you so you can do your work better
Yaoyao Ma Van As, were you spying on me? :) ........... ................. this is me, at my desk, when 'somebody' needed holding. 74305134_5...510884.jpg
Treating Yourself To A Whole Batch Of Cookies
i don't think i've ever made cookies without eating half of the cookie dough T.T
They sell edible cookie dough at Walmart! Some in different flavors like s'mores!
Load More Replies..."Eating a whole batch of cookies" sometimes before they're done XD
I do not by cookies exactly for that reason, I would eat package in 1 or 2 sittings
when ever i bake my family thinks i made them to share with them (they eat 99.9999%)
Enjoying Some Quality Me Time
Taking Your Time In The Mornings
Agreed... you couldn't pay me enough money to get up in the morning period
Load More Replies...Always get up 2-3 hours before I need to leave so i start my day S-L-O-W-L-Y. Great way so start the day.
Creating Your Own "Fine Dining" Rules
D: Never give puppeh people food. Really bad for them and some things are toxic to them.
Load More Replies...Or... you forgot to run the dishwasher, and have no silverware... eat with your hands, or a giant salad fork or spoon! I love to eat soup with a giant spoon!
I say go away to my 2 fur babies but it's just words and they know it as they always get something lol
Dog tongue is napkin after she is done also tongue is plate and table cleaner.
Dreaming On A Rainy Day
Dreaming on a rainy day, hoping to have someone to share the rain with...like a human.
Some people's happiness and fulfilment don't depend on others.
Load More Replies...This symbolises that she feels there is someone missing from her life. Why are there no pictures of depression and loneliness? Does the 'artist' think these things don't actually exist?
Maybe the artist didn't want to draw a d**k on the window? Everyone draws a heart on windows. It's easier to draw than Kilroy.
Load More Replies...Cleaning However You Like
Cleaning is so much easier when you're alone. You can clean however you like and you won't get annoyed with housemates who wouldn't help you.
I have a cleaner once a week and they change the bed sheets and do the laundry. I live in Assisted Living.
Often times it seems like there's a Disney character in the comic, i can see a mug with Mike Wazowski on it in this one :)
Stretching In The Morning With The Room To Yourself
Or she has disposable income: good job, without a child, now LPs are back in fashion. You can still get cheap LPs even tho' originals are being snapped up everywhere.
Load More Replies...Having Your Puppy Around All The Time
This so true my fur babies have the run of the house , but 9/10 they are where ever I am
Girl! What if the pup peed?! Small pups, dog or human, in warm water, will likely pee, or pooh! Ew.
Pet behavior changes when someone else is around, even if just visiting. I love my alone time with my kitty. Meow
My dog would be afraid I was going to give her a dreaded dog bath. She would peek where I was & scoot out of the room.
Waking Up With Your Pup
Dude, I stop breathing like I do when I'm asleep and my spaniel knows no matter where in the house he is!
Load More Replies...I love this my Jess is the one for waking me but I love how happy she is to see me xx
My pup, will, once I'm stirring, stare at me from where he's sleeping, then wagging his tail, walk up my leg onto my hip and balance there, looking all sleepy happy, and then gets a little mini massage from me! He does this cute little yawn, almost like a human would, and he melts my heart! He won't want to go pee until we've had coffee and treats. I get the coffee, he gets his favorite bone a Good -n-fun kabob! He'll even walk to the kitchen with me, while I get my coffee, and his kabob, and then we settle in the living room! He is a lovely creature of habit, yet full of surprises and smart as a whip! Best dog I've ever had in my life! The hubby says the same thing!
I love this and when I had a cat that was the best, on the chest purring and putting a paw on my cheek. My dog now just waits and then washes my face.
Taking It All In On Your Morning Walk
Melting Away Your Troubles
Isn't one's imagination just wonderful?! Its so easy to graduate from a regular bathtub to a super-duper tiled tub, all with the stroke of a pen/pencil.
This is her sauna in another part of her home.
Load More Replies...Except that you have to take a good hour and a half to set up all those candles.
Yeah. I only did this once. :D But there was coffee-choc bath bomb.
Load More Replies...that, and the puppy thing, the work thing, & eating like a slob thing too
Load More Replies...Marking Your Territory
I do that but then I gather them all up in a ball and throw them in the trash. I always saw i as a way not to have to clean my drain too often :')
Load More Replies...I do it for practical reasons. I don't want the drains to get clogged with hair. So when I run my hands through my hair, I grab the ends so I could pill away the loose hair.
There's a trash can by the tub, I just toss the hairs away. Brushing before I wash my hair helps too.
Load More Replies...I do the same thing, I just roll up the loose hairs when I'm done showering and throw them into the trash
Hasan, just bite me! I'm sure you have some weird habits! Care to share so we can remark rudely on them? I'm positive you know that calling a girl a heifer, is quite rude, and mean. So, are you rude and mean, or just having a bad day? Spill your habits, dude. Or learn to refrain from speaking at all.
Ha ha hahaha! This one, is totally me! I have long, dark hair, some grays, and it comes out big time when washed! So, to avoid clogging the drain up, I put it on the shower wall! My hubby has his own shower, so, he doesn't mind! Lucky me! I can mark my place and he loves me anyway!
For me it's not about territory but getting the loose hairs unstuck from my hand!
Except ours has actual spiders as well. Only DLLs but they still count. :D
Load More Replies...Doing Laundry Wherever You Want
My unfolded laundry is Charlie's favorite place to sleep when we aren't in bed. ;D
Now that is me.. doing laundry with nothing on because there's nothing left to wear lol :)
Trying On All Your Clothes
She has great everything. Especially great light.
Load More Replies...Oh, hell, no! That means rehanging , folding putting back the clothes! Too much trouble! I'd rather be digging around one day, and find something I haven't worn in a long time!
Releasing Your Inner Artist
It speaks to a deep need for solitude, rest, & Jacksonian expression in this busy stressed world....
Load More Replies...This is her studio that has that messy kitchen above, probably the save building that has the sauna.
Ya know how expensive paint is? And the floors! To be this careless she’s gotta be heiress or something.
Being By Your Pups Side
Fur Babies are the best :) mine make me so happy when I look at them and their tails go mad :)
Working On Your Flexibility
this would kill me as I am disabled but the dancing could be considered stitching
Stitch stuffed animal for when he is on a trip in space to find his brothers.
Making A Mess
There is a def. BtVS graphic novel feel to all of this. No wonder we feel better about it.
Load More Replies...Nope, cleaning is my weakness... I try to not splat anything in kitchen...
Leaving Your Hair Everywhere Because You Can
My husband likes to sing..."your hair is everywhere, screaming infidelities and taking its wear" because it's literally EVERYWHERE. So...I get it! <3
A lot of these reasons were just variants of other reasons. But I agree; living on your own with just a puppy would be absolute heaven. People company is so overrated.
At her age I would never have thought of such a thing. Being alone would have been so depressing. But now at 73, I love my solitude more than almost anything else. My Charlie shares my bed at night, and I can do pretty much what I wish, because I'm self-employed, and my shop is in my basement. But what seems so natural to me looks a bit out of place with someone so young, and by all appearances content with herself. Of course, I suffer from depression and she obviously doesn't. 🤔
Oh John, I always love your comments on Boredpanda. You seem to be such a gentle and loving person! Take care of yourself 😊😊
Load More Replies...I think the ultimate form of freedom when living alone is going to the toilet without closing the door! :D
Unless you have a pet....and then you're never going to the toilet alone ever again.
Load More Replies...I think that it is as beautiful as it is educative! YES a woman is able to live alone and enjoying it, it's not sad it's AWESOME! I live alone and dont want a partner or kids, i'm fine, i do what i want when i want, i'm so free to do anything, everything. I travel the world alone and i enjoy the fact that i'm totally free to meet people, to know people as want, and i travel to the middle east a lot without any fear. Leaving alone is really good for confidence, i can repair my dryer or my boiler without any help, repair anything and cooking really good... Self-sufficiency is an accomplishment, not a sad thing at all. What i find sad is my friends who are relationship because "its time", "it's for the kids"... because of social pressure and they don't share anything, they are not living together they are living parrallel lives and are not happy at all. Life is short, don't waste it to please others.
Living with others doesn't hurt my self sufficiency tbh. But you're right, getting into a relationship and not being in the relationship on a connective level is sad.
Load More Replies...i love the drawings but to be honest.... if you can't do 99,9% of all these things while being in a relationship, the problem is not the fact that you are in a relationship. It is either the s****y attitude of your partner, or your own misguided notion that it would not be ok to do these things. But lovely drawings. nice atmosphere.
That's what I thought too... if you can't do those things because someone else lives in the house, either your relationship with that person (be it a friend, or family, or a partner) is not very good, or you're way too sensitive to what others will think of you. I live with my elderly father, I do pretty much all of this. I do most of it at my best friends' house when I stay over too.
Load More Replies...I love both the pictures and the sentiment here - absolutely beautiful! I think sometimes people fear being alone - these pics capture the beauty and contentment in enjoying your own company.
I agree Daria. When we are young and virile, being alone can be a wonderful time to enjoy things that are impossible around others. But after awhile, reality kicks in and..................
Load More Replies...I don't know what this all has to do with being single... I do ALL of these things either way and don't give a darn about what anyone thinks...
At her age I would never have thought of such a thing. Being alone would have been so depressing. But now at 73, I love my solitude more than almost anything else. My Charlie shares my bed at night, and I can do pretty much what I wish, because I'm self-employed, and my shop is in my basement. But what seems so natural to me looks a bit out of place with someone so young, and by all appearances content with herself. Of course, I suffer from depression and she obviously doesn't. 🤔
Oh John, I always love your comments on Boredpanda. You seem to be such a gentle and loving person! Take care of yourself 😊😊
Load More Replies...I think the ultimate form of freedom when living alone is going to the toilet without closing the door! :D
Unless you have a pet....and then you're never going to the toilet alone ever again.
Load More Replies...I think that it is as beautiful as it is educative! YES a woman is able to live alone and enjoying it, it's not sad it's AWESOME! I live alone and dont want a partner or kids, i'm fine, i do what i want when i want, i'm so free to do anything, everything. I travel the world alone and i enjoy the fact that i'm totally free to meet people, to know people as want, and i travel to the middle east a lot without any fear. Leaving alone is really good for confidence, i can repair my dryer or my boiler without any help, repair anything and cooking really good... Self-sufficiency is an accomplishment, not a sad thing at all. What i find sad is my friends who are relationship because "its time", "it's for the kids"... because of social pressure and they don't share anything, they are not living together they are living parrallel lives and are not happy at all. Life is short, don't waste it to please others.
Living with others doesn't hurt my self sufficiency tbh. But you're right, getting into a relationship and not being in the relationship on a connective level is sad.
Load More Replies...i love the drawings but to be honest.... if you can't do 99,9% of all these things while being in a relationship, the problem is not the fact that you are in a relationship. It is either the s****y attitude of your partner, or your own misguided notion that it would not be ok to do these things. But lovely drawings. nice atmosphere.
That's what I thought too... if you can't do those things because someone else lives in the house, either your relationship with that person (be it a friend, or family, or a partner) is not very good, or you're way too sensitive to what others will think of you. I live with my elderly father, I do pretty much all of this. I do most of it at my best friends' house when I stay over too.
Load More Replies...I love both the pictures and the sentiment here - absolutely beautiful! I think sometimes people fear being alone - these pics capture the beauty and contentment in enjoying your own company.
I agree Daria. When we are young and virile, being alone can be a wonderful time to enjoy things that are impossible around others. But after awhile, reality kicks in and..................
Load More Replies...I don't know what this all has to do with being single... I do ALL of these things either way and don't give a darn about what anyone thinks...
