For the better part of five years, I've lived alone, not including my fur roommates (Don Juan de Barco and Penelope Lane). I've slept alone, woken up alone, cooked alone, ate alone, cleaned alone, paid bills alone, spent several holidays alone...I've done it all, home alone.

I'm a twin and extremely extroverted. I love people. I love being around people. I love giving everything I've got to the people and places I love. I also really love to hermit away when I need to refuel. I spread myself pretty thin with school, work, volunteering, and pizzateering. I used to suffer from codependency and I have a not-so-terrific history of poor dating choices based on said dependency. Living on my own has really helped me break that cycle and fall in love with ME and MY life.

The thing is, my home is mine and those walls only need me to stand. Who knows, maybe one day I'll let someone in, but for now, being home alone is the best.

Here's the top ten greatest reasons to live alone:

1. Pants are optional. I wear what I want, when I want, where I want.

2. I don't depend on anyone for bills, food, or anything. While it would be nice to pay a lot less each month, I never have discussions or passive aggressive Post-Its over bills that need to split or who ate the peanut butter. I really don't like to share my peanut butter...

3. I can be really weird in a completely judge-free zone... like sing the entire soundtrack to Pure Country in my underwear or really investigate my eyebrows and pores...

4. I don't have to decorate for holidays. Who has time to put up a fake Christmas tree when all the presents are going to other houses? Not me. I'm not even wearing pants!

5. Everything in my place is mine. I don't have to compromise on decorating or get stressed over someone using my things. What's even more amazing is that when I really think about it, my entire place is just walls of me. I did it, you guys! I am adulting. I'm on my own and I've got real furniture. I may not always use my dinning room table, but I've got options...

6. The entire bed is mine. Well, Donny and Penny think it's their's. If really wanted, though, I could stretch out and take up the entire bed. Those blankets? Yeah, they're all mine.

7. I never have to wait for the bathroom. I have two books above my toilet: The History of Horror Films and Pride and Prejudice. I can read an entire chapter in there, undisturbed. I now understand why my dad refers to going to the bathroom as "the library." Also, I've got dibs on all the hot water.

8. I need as many closets as possible. Those of you who live with others, how do you fit everything into one closet? Seriously, tell me your wizardry! I struggle getting it all into two!

9. Sharing is caring, especially when it's with yourself. Food? TV? Detergent? The porch view? Extra bedroom? Toilet paper? Left over pizza? (Just kidding, there's never left over pizza...) It's all mine. For someone who loves to give, it is so nice to not have to give anything when I'm home. Except for milk bones and cuddles to Don and Pen, of course.

10. Did I mention dancing? It is the best. Don't believe me? Don't live on your own? Doesn't matter. The next time you are home alone, dance your heart out. Hold back nothing.

Tell me that's not better than any movie.