Thank you, Virginia, for that most valuable of advice.
When I was younger her quote didn’t make much sense – weren’t women independent now, didn’t we have the vote, weren’t we emancipated and equal and couldn’t we Have It All?
A room? Goddam it Virginia, I’m a modern woman. I can buy myself a whole house if I like. Don’t need a man for that. Don’t need permission. Money? I can earn my own!
Foolishly, I thought that being a child of a new generation meant that Ms Woolf’s wisdom didn’t apply to me. But it is so much more relevant than I had realised. Being part of the generation of ‘We Can Have It All’ means that most of us don’t have the time or the energy for that room, and all our money is allocated to mortgages and other grown-up responsibilities. Dreams are relegated to the dusty recesses of our minds, or that mythical ‘one day…’ place.
But I was pondering this morning the healing value of having a corner of life just for yourself and your own interests. A little time for which you didn’t need to account to anyone, and a little cash for the requisites to fill that corner. Same same, as they say in Thailand. Virginia, you really were onto something!
My corner is a movable place, populated by my Macbook (which I purchased just so I could use the Scrivener program), some notebooks, a pencil case, index cards and pocket money for lattes, snacks and photocopying.
I might lie in bed and write, or duck out to the local coffee shop. I have written on trains, planes, verandas, decks of boats, under trees, hotel rooms, in my car, and many other locations – which is why my ‘corner’ is portable.
I also have a Tibetan Prayer Bowl, a journal, some crystals, a deck of Tarot cards and a few other bits and pieces for my Spiritual Grab Bag. Same same, only different to my Mac Bag. See what I mean?
We don’t need grand gestures to get started on what’s important to us. We can have our ‘room’ by creating little windows of time, a small basket of tools or accessories, accompanied by the jingle of just a little loose change in our pockets.
So what’s your thing? What gives your life meaning and pleasure? What fills you up?
We all need a room of our own, a few dollars to be spent as we so choose, and the emotional luxury and freedom that this affords us.
2013 is almost upon us. I’m gently encouraging you to create a small corner in life just for you and your dreams. One you can visit often, even if only for the briefest of times from week to week.
Wonderful new directions, satisfactions and accomplishment can be had by giving yourself a little breathing space.
Go on. I dare you!
Hi, just had a quick squiz at your site, look forward to a more thorough look in the future. Looks right up my ally. I also have my own space, in my bedroom which apart from my bed is full of books, candles, crystals, journals, pens and pencils. I love my room! I just wish I could keep it tidy. lol.
Love light and Happiness
I have the same problem, LOL! Thanks for popping by, KJ. You’re welcome here anytime. Much love to you too xx
yes, a room of one’s own to keep one’s sanity. And a corner, oh yes a corner for writing, quiet, with spots of beauty and meaning, whether a small stone in one’s pocket or art on the walls. And a bit of cash to buy a new journal, or a fancy pen or a lovely latte. It’s this that makes life rich and grand. And Scrivener is now available for Windows so don’t have to wait till they develop a version for IPad. phew! A lovely, lovely post filled with a gentle grace and wisdom. Namaste.
Such wonderful advice! For me, its not so much having the ‘room”, but allowing the time and the money for little delicacies of delight. Thank you for reminding me.
I’ve just set up my own real room! feels great!
That little corner is absolutely vital to my sanity, I think. It’s amazing where you can go to with just a notebook, pencil and a good supply of beverages. I love that last photo!
Thank you for your post.
I have a house of my own, earn my own money. Every other day I share it with my son who has his own room in it. I Think also men should have their own room. It means that we are equal. Love, Jetske <3 🙂
Thank you, thank you, Thank you…..I am so grateful for this and all that you give me. Love, Love, Love!
She was a wise one, our Virginia!
I literally have a room of my own – my own bed, wardrobe, shelving of all the things that I love. I’ve always had it in my relationships and its very handy to recharge. My current partner doesn’t mind if I sleep a whole week alone. And I think it has something to do with independence – as long as I have my own space I can feel it.
Your last sentence says it all!
Much love to you xoxo
I love this post. I have a room called my fun room. It has my iPod, my cello, my journal, my paints, nature and my car. I call it my fun room. Often I’ll lie under a tree and ask what would be fun to do, rather than what I have to do or should do. Up until last week though I had forgotten to put a lock on the door and hang out a do not disturb sign. Now I feel like the teenager who hangs out in there room a lot with headphones on. I love it. It has been very healing and nurturing for the year that has been and I’m not coming out until I’m ready lol.
A fun room? I’d find every reason not to leave too! 😀 xx
What a wonderful post, Nicole! I agree 100%
(and thanks for letting me know about Scrivener! I wasn’t aware of it before your post and wish I knew about it while I was writing my dissertation!)
Daisy, a fellow writer showed it to me on her Mac and me, who is clueless about all this stuff, got instant Scrivener envy.
OMG.
It really has changed my writing life…
I bet! When I was reading about it, I really did have one of those cartoon moments where you smack yourself on the forehead with the palm of your hand. Geez. Think of all the post-its I used . . .