I love my wife and I miss her, but I have to say it's no less difficult than when she is here - maybe easier. This has been my experience in the past as well and I got shredded by a bunch of moms when I posted on another sub one time.
The kids have been sick, I was sick, but we just kept moving along. There are half as many dishes, half as much laundry. There is far less to clean up. I put our winter clothes away without someone hovering over me. When I have asked the kids to help out, they do so without argument because they have no appeals court.
But the big difference is the peace and quiet. There is no one that needs to fill silence. We can just be. I can just be. There is no one that needs frequent reassurance that everything is fine when there is no reason that it wouldn't be, other than me being silent.
After another week I may not feel this way, but just saying. This has been nice.
Edit. I am going to add something as I am not attacking women and am certainly not attacking my wife. My wife makes our lives so much better and she is the most important part of my life. She makes Christmas magical and can cook like you wouldn't believe. She is kind and genuine and the best person I know. I think after a few more days I would not be thinking "this is nice" anymore. She just creates alot of laundry and dishes. Lol.