I am age 51, have always been single, and am happy being single. I also have never had a roommate in 25 years; I have had a few hookups, but have never dated. On the other hand, I am close to family, and close to friends, and have no issues creating and maintaining ties with people, though I am super discriminatory with who I allow in my life, and who/how I spend my time. I travel a lot on my own with no companions, and am super comfortable with myself. I also clean out my contacts list every year, cuz my mental bandwidth is limited to only a few people with whom I am super close to.
Having to do with how I was brought up, I do think that have issues being intimate with someone in that capacity, and it takes a lot for me to establish trust in others; though sociable, I am also an introvert, and crave my own space. It's not to say that I would never let love happen, but I'm not going to date or shop for anyone. If it falls into place, then that is the way the cookie was meant to crumble.
I am not saying that this is "right". I am just saying that this is how my life has turned out, and am still happy.
My mother always told me this - never depend on anyone for your happiness, cuz it has to come from within, first. She also told me that In order to be with anyone else, you gotta learn how to be by, and with, yourself, cuz there never is a guarantee that you won't be single - and you have to keep "living", regardless.
Unfortunately, the downfall is that I am much older, much less tolerant, and so comfortable in my own space, that I am not so sure that I could be with anyone! I am making a choice to not try and date or work on - how to be with someone. At this point, I would rather take the easy route and not deal with a relationship, cuz they take work! Is it a cop-out? Yes. I am happy in the moment? Yes.
