I'm 60. Over the past couple years, I've come to see my very strong introversion.

I'm most comfortable by myself. I don't really like face to face conversations unless they are about specific ideas or fields I'm interested in. I don't like to just sit and talk with people, at all.

I enjoy sitting by myself, walks by myself or with my dogs. I enjoy mostly being alone. I don't like to visit people, and I don't like people to visit me. My folks are the exception to go visit; and those visits are frequent (the folks are 87 and 88, and needing more help) often 10 to 20 minutes, and rarely longer.

Problem is, I married two years ago, and I find myself craving much more solitude and alone time, including sleeping alone. Sex isn't a problem; our sex is very good when we make love. And I like to sleep alone. That's become an issue.

I'm a very creative person, and need long periods of time alone to create. And I mean more than two or three hours. I could easily go a few days apart, and be much happier, than living together day in and day out. I work at home. My wife is at home more often than not.

I like space. I crave space. And quiet. And solitude. Being with people -- even one person -- makes me uncomfortable, unless we have interesting and diverse conversations about in-depth topics.

I like to write. I am on the phone with customers a lot during days. Phone is fine; they're far away, and I can control the conversation and keep it to business topics, or about them.

I'm coming to the conclusion that I am not cut out to live with anyone. And I think I'm quite good with that. I love my wife. And I like far more time alone than probably most do. Distance is a far easier proposition for me, and getting together every few days.

More than anything, I want to create. The creative impulse in me has been strong for a long time. I've created a lot; there is much more to create. It's infinite.

This is a long note to perhaps come to this question: do others find that you just can't live with anyone? I mean it is disturbing to have someone around for any real length of time? I can do the social things when needed. But I'll always want my space, my solitude, my quiet.

It's an odd thing to realize these things about myself. I was married for 25 years in my first marriage. I pointed to a lot of faults in my wife as my reason for divorcing. In looking back, I was always very uncomfortable being married. The 'flaws' I saw in my first wife, were, I realize, more excuses I could give myself so that it was about her, and not me. I needed space, quiet, calm. And we did find it very difficult to have any substantive conversations, which was draining, too.

Interestingly, my second wife and I have problems having any substantive conversations -- talks about things other than people and events.

I like a connection with a woman -- a mental connection, an emotional one -- and as far as far as physical, I realize I am not happy with anyone around day in and day out. Then again, maybe I've not met the 'right woman.' And more than that, I want to be right for me, and with me.

As this is my first post, I hope I haven't abused the privilege by going on too long. And I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who might have some insight and similar experiences to share. I know there are many aspects to all of this, many aspects to each of us. And I am grateful for any notes from any in the group.

Thanks very much.