Single millennials living alone say they're barely "surviving"

Tackling adulthood on your own adds a layer of complexity that's not often discussed. Between rising home prices and endless chores, making it work on a single income is no small feat. One redditor in r/Millennials decided to check on how the solo crowd in their generational cohort is holding up. That is where this thread began:

Check-in: How are my fellow Millennial single people doing? I'm a childfree (by choice) elder Millennial in the US. And I'm not gonna lie, times are tough. I don't mind being single most of the time but sometimes it would be nice to have someone to share household responsibilities (and bills). To come home to dinner already being made or the dishes being done, that would be nice to experience lol. Just thought it would be nice to hear from other singles that are making it on their own in a world built for two incomes. Especially now that the price of everything in the US is increasing. A special shout-out to single parents! I have no idea how y'all do it.

In the comments , redditors talk a mix of scary financial frustrations, unexpected joys, and serious appreciation for having the bed entirely to themselves.

For a large group of singles, the lack of a partner translates, somewhat unexpectedly, to a lack of added stress. Free of someone else's messes to clean up, coming home to an empty house feels like a sanctuary.

Surviving on one paycheck can be a heavy weight. It's enough to lead some to harbor the painful feeling that living is explicitly designed for couples. The cost of living alone can drive otherwise happy singles to search for financial support.

Even the most fiercely independent folks admit to missing the small comforts of partnership. It is rarely about grand romantic gestures and more about the simple relief of having a teammate when things get tough.

A few commenters playfully push back on the original poster's dream of someone handling dinner and dishes, suggesting that adding another adult rarely results in less housework.

Millennials roughing through adulthood alone report a mixed bag of unparalleled freedom and undeniable friction. While the financial realities of a world built for two can be daunting, the ability to control one's own space provides pleasure that's hard to give up. The single experience remains distinctly personal.

How are you holding up out there? Read the full story in r/Millennials , and find more conversations like this in r/Adulting , r/CasualConversation , and r/midlifecrisis .

This story highlights the perspectives of Reddit users, not Reddit, Inc. Some posts or comments may be lightly edited for clarity. Questions or concerns? Contact us at upvoted@reddit.com .