This is another fear that extreme feminism capitalizes upon. If you find yourself married and miserable and paralyzed with fear don't be ashamed. Western culture has evolved to crystallize this paradigm of fear into your psyche.

Next time the fear of dying alone prevents you from moving on or attempting a serious correction in your marriage I would like you to perform one act of visualization. This is the harshest of harsh realities and I am pretty sure my case was an outlier.

The marriage has been sexless for years and the tension between the two of you has never been higher. The stress finally gets to you and your heart gives out. Thank god your wife is their for you in your moment of need. Paramedics on their way - thank you honey! Then you die alone while she steps over your contorting body on her way to the kitchen to prepare herself a yummy snack.

Yes this is very extreme. Is this how it would have played out for me? Yep. Check my comment history if you don't believe me. Oh and by the way, is your wife going to be there holding phone in hand watching over you every second of the day?

I am not saying this happens to everyone or that every woman is psycho. My point is that if you are married and miserable just stop and think about your future. Do you want to live like this for 20 more years?

Being alone is not like it was in the dark ages. We have neighbors, co-workers, relatives (find your cousins!), hobby friends (get off your ass and join a Spanish speaking group), gym buddies, cancer ward volunteer buddies, scrabble buddies, roommates, etc... We have networks. Yes cyber networks are excellent resources, but if you want true independence you will need to work on face to face relationships as well.

Don't let the fear of living alone keep you trapped in a miserable marriage.