These famous words attributed to the great actress Greta Garbo are not possible to type with a Swedish accent.  Perhaps that’s the way you say them directly to whomever you are quarantined with – your partner, your roommate, or your family.  Some people don’t know how to say it directly so just grit their teeth and bear it when they feel overly “peopled”.

Are there times at home when you just want privacy for a while, not necessarily for any particular activity?  If you are lucky enough to have a large enough living space one can always go into another room for a while without making a dramatic production of it, just go.  If there is not likely to be a lineup for your bathroom, that’s another resource when you want to be alone.

What do you do when you really have had more than enough of the people with whom you live during this quarantine time or any other time?  How can you get alone time for yourself without hurting their feelings?

The questions above may be two different things.  Leaving the house to “get something at the grocery”, “visit a friend”, “take a walk to get some fresh air”, are all ways to get some alone time by excusing yourself and just going.  Yes, your family member or partner may offer to go with you and then you may have to say it: “No thank you.  I’d really like some time alone.”

Often getting out of the house won’t satisfy the need for being alone INSIDE your dwelling, to be alone in your own space.  You might want to pluck your eyebrows, read a dopey magazine, masturbate, and it seems like there is always somebody there. This one is a bit harder.  Sure, you can suggest that the other person or people go to that great new movie when you’d rather read a good book.  You might be able to say that. You can encourage your partner, roommate, or family member to do something you know they enjoy because you plan to go to bed early.  Or, even better, see if you can get those with whom you live to do something out of the house on a regular basis: take a class, join a men’s or women’s group, go bowling or anything you know they like or might like but perhaps are not doing because they are afraid you might feel left behind.  Sometimes all the “No really”s in the world won’t get them out of the house if they are convinced you’d feel lonely or left out.

Okay, if so, it’s time to take the bull by the horns. “Honey (or honeys), I would really love spending an evening home alone.  Do you think you might find something to do that’s fun some night this week or even one night as week regularly.” Unless those with whom you live are very sensitive they may feel relieved that you suggested first what perhaps they were also thinking.

Say it with a smile, make your suggestion with enthusiasm, touch the arm of whomever you’re talking to when you bring it up, assure the other person they will be missed, and enjoy the delights of being alone inside or out.  Just make sure you make this suggestion before you go batty from just too much togetherness.