That article both spoke to me and seemed foreign; I've lived alone for all but two years of the last 20 (since high school), and I do "spread out" in many of the ways it describes. But, when I do get to temporarily "live with" someone---when I'm home at my parents' house, when I'm sharing a hotel room at a conference, when I'm visiting friends for a few days---my experience is totally opposite the article. I look forward to having the temporary roommate, I sleep with the door open at my parents', I prefer the living room couch to a tucked-away guest bedroom at my friends' houses, because I like being aware of and part of the bustle of everyone living there.
In contrast, my friends who are married or living together treat those temporary thrown-together situations as maximally distasteful. They want a separate private room, they disdain sharing rooms at conferences unless they have to. When I've asked about it, I'm often given a line about how "when you're older" you want your private time, but many of them aren't that much older than me (and a few are younger), so that's always rung hollow. I wonder if it's just that this is their time to have a "Day of Chad"? ;)
I'm in the opposite boat. Grew up with lots of siblings, had roommates all through college, got married young.
Believe me, even a few hours of solitude are things to be treasured. I wouldn't give up the life I have now for anything, but in my "grass is greener" moments, that's what I wish for the most. Long stretches of time in which to do my own thing entirely unpreturbed.
I live with my wife and our two young children, but from ages 23-29, I lived alone. While living alone (especially sans significant other), I used to think, "Oh, it would be so wonderful to come home to a house full of activity." Now, I am beginning to resent the family cat because its presence (and seemingly continuous interest in being fed, going outside, coming inside, etc.) makes it impossible for me to be without distraction, even if my wife and kids have gone somewhere. The grass is always greener, I guess. I've turned what was originally designed to be a formal living room into my office, complete with locking door and couch. This helps, but it's hard for a two year-old to understand why daddy doesn't want to come out and play.
In contrast, my friends who are married or living together treat those temporary thrown-together situations as maximally distasteful. They want a separate private room, they disdain sharing rooms at conferences unless they have to. When I've asked about it, I'm often given a line about how "when you're older" you want your private time, but many of them aren't that much older than me (and a few are younger), so that's always rung hollow. I wonder if it's just that this is their time to have a "Day of Chad"? ;)