Living alone has become a global trend. In China, more than 100 million people now live by themselves, and women increasingly make up this group. Unmarried women over 30 were once stigmatized as “leftover women,” but today, in the cities of China’s first- and second-tier, growing education and income levels, together with the possibilities brought by the internet, are fueling a new wave of independence and self-discovery. Living alone is an action; it is a form of self-observation and awareness, an important way to enjoy independence and freedom. It allows us to better explore our relationships with ourselves and with society.

This project began in 2016, when I ended an intimate relationship that was close to marriage and started living alone, while also experiencing a major turning point in my career. I wanted to observe others as a way to reflect on myself. The project documents the authentic lives of 40 women living alone, spanning generations from the 1960s to the 1990s. They choose to live alone in the city, whether their living conditions are favorable or not, simply for a space free from disturbance and external concerns. They exhibit diverse emotional needs, regardless of their identity or status, and are redefining traditional definitions in terms of sex and love. They carry varying levels of confusion and aspirations, navigating doubts while confronting challenges, all while seeking personal value in uncertain times. Within the intimate and secure space from diverse women's homes, we shared our desires and fears. We are like individual boats converging in the vast sea, forming an undefined landscape. This project is a process of self-acceptance and reconciliation.