Sally quotes Virginia Woolf to Verity, telling her she needs a room of her own to be successful. What did you think of this advice? Do you have a room of your own, and if so, does it have a special purpose?
I do think there is some truth to having your own space (if not a room). When I was a graduate student, I had sectioned off a portion of the living/dining room with a room divider, so I had my own space to study and work.
Now years later as a retiree, I use the second bedroom as my own space. There I work on the computer, prepare lesson plans for the volunteer tutoring I do, and also practice on my piano keyboard.
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I agree with Sally completely. It’s hard, if not impossible, to find focused work/creative time if you live with others and don’t have your own space. Like Virginia Woolf, I think women especially need our own spaces and we are less likely to have them. I am fortunate to have my own office at work and a space that’s (mostly) my own at home. I don’t know how I would get any of my work done without that space. Despite her condition, Sally showed a great deal of wisdom in many places in the book, and to my mind she was especially wise in her interactions with Verity.
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I agree with the other answers. Women have been and continue to be marginalized. Our needs, desires, hopes and dreams are often ignored if not opening mocked and it seems to be getting worse.
It is vital to your mental health to feel free to exist in a space, somewhere, without a type of restraint. That restraint may be on your time, thoughts, views, manner of dress, whatever. Freedom to just be is nonnegotiable. I would also encourage every person to be sure to plan for it. Yes, I have several spaces that are my domain. My kitchen, where I prepare food to gift to various organizations, my front library where I meditate and often read, my basement craft area where I create. I also have the open road and parks and trails and paths where I mountain bike or gravel bike or hike and the lakes and reservoirs I kayak upon. Freedom is there but you must be aggressive at times to find it and as a woman you must of course, be careful, prepared, and aware.
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Having your own space to read, sew, etc., is needed! When you are married, you share so many things. I feel it’s essential that you have a place that is yours.
It might not be a room, but at least make a spot that is yours, your chair, your basket of books, your sewing nook, or someplace that is yours alone.
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I’m not sure about a room, per se, but I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have my specific space. It’s a kitchen table (which never gets used for meals, LOL) where my laptop and notebook live. I probably spend half my waking hours there.
I do have a room of my own. When we moved from our very large Victorian house where I had a lot of space to a smaller home I took a room to be mine. I think both people in a marriage need space to just be by themselves.
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A woman needs her room/space and her own money.
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Yes, I do have a room of my own and I agree with the other comments here. My room gives me the space to work, read, and dream in a peaceful setting. I’m very much an introvert and this space is a necessary location for me when I need to decompress.
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I feel that everyone needs a space of their own, whether it is a room or a cozy chair in a corner. It gives one a place to devote time totally to them. Dedicating time to one’s self allows them to be a better person in the family, work or relationships.
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It so important to have a room of your own. Life demands so much of women that we too often forget to take time and care of ourselves. In retirement, I now have a Meditation Room of my own!
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