A {Nook} of One’s Own

A // W // F

“Give her a room of her own and five hundred a year, let her speak her mind … And she will write a better book one of these days.”
–Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own

*

nook2

I learned a long time ago that I’m a nester by nature:  I fluff and fuss in the physical spaces of my day-to-day life.

There are people who need the hum and bustle of the city to get worthwhile things done.  There are others who need a Vulcan range and a wide chopping block.  Me?  I need soft, down-filled surfaces.  Green, growing things.

The gleam of sunlight on polished metal and glass.

Candlelight.

And I used to be ashamed of those tendencies — fearful that I was shallow to spend so much time feathering my nest.  I’d tape fifty paint chips to the wall and puzzle over them for weeks.  I’d scour the city for just the right rattan armchair, just the right slubby linen.  Meanwhile, I’d wonder if I was crazy.

But slowly, I began to understand that this — all of this — is part of my creative work.  I beautify the space around me, and gradually I understand how to fill wider spaces with beauty.  The ripples move outward in the pond.

And there’s no shame in this.

*

Today, I thought I’d share with you a physical space that’s important to me.  It’s the place I go to read, think and dream.

There’s a little white linen chair here — just right for my small frame.  There’s a task light for writing at night, my favorite seagrass end table where a cup of coffee can rest.  Best of all, there’s a great big canvas I painted myself, back when I needed to be reminded that big things needn’t scare me.  That sloppiness and lack of skill needn’t scare me.  That my work was simply to say the thing that was inside me — with paper and ink, with paint and canvas — even if I said it imperfectly.

And lately, I’m realizing that I have some important things to say — even if I have to do it imperfectly.

In the coming months, I plan to be in my writing nook a lot.  I’m going to sit in this chair and watch the sunlight pour into the room like champagne into a tall glass.  I’m going to make peace with certain parts of myself that need to be forgiven.  I’m going to look hard at certain parts of myself that need to be cut out.

And then I’m going to write.

nook3

Today, I’m wishing you a safe, peaceful place to do the hard work of beautifying your soul… ❤

18 Comments

    1. It’s a very strange little book… Who knows what you’ll think. 😉

      There were a few stories I just couldn’t get behind, but others that caught me right in the chest so I had to catch my breath after. A few of them are stuck in my head now.

      Happy reading … I love that you’re here! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

    2. Silly me — I just looked at which post you were thinking of when you commented. 😉

      I *do* think Ron Rash is up your alley. His writing is engaging but beautifully understated (like yours), & the stories exhibit a lot of versatility and range while still managing to cohere as a whole, which I consider to be the mark of a good collection. He doesn’t always paint the most flattering picture of life in Appalachia, but I have no doubt he’s writing about things he knows.

      I think you’ll enjoy. 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  3. Love that nook! So much natural light and relaxation you could write up a storm. Great post & love your writing style

    Lauren Baxter | Lovely Décor
    xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you sweet beautiful girl! I love it too, although I do think the paint color could use some refreshment. The chair sits right across from a huge bay window, and the room is always so full of sun. I absolutely love it there. 🙂

      Flattered to get your thumbs up — you have such good taste!! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You are always welcome! I would agree it would be my favorite place to! Aww you are to sweet thank you 🙂 The paint color is nice and suits the décor. If you want a new color refresh a coffee white or cream white would look really nice as well, would brighten the space even more and make your accessories POP 🙂 (just my thought). I’m on a little bit of a painting high as I just finished my own place he he, so I apologize if I’m out of place.

        xx

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        1. That sounds so fantastic! I was thinking of lightening it up slightly myself with a creamier shade.

          And yes, I know — painting is completely addictive! 😉 My poor husband lives in fear of the Benjamin Moore fan deck — once one room gets a fresh coat, I always want to do more. 🙂 SUCH a dramatic change for such a small investment.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

          1. Oo good! Haha great minds think alike!

            Isn’t it? Once you start you can’t stop but I am not going to lie if someone else did it for me I would like it THAT much more hahaha. Oh that Benjamin Moore fan deck is so awesome and when I worked for them it was so fun.

            It can literally give you the feeling of a new house for next to nothing 🙂 I love it

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply

    1. Thank you!! Believe it or not, I snagged it a few years ago at TJ Maxx for $200. 🙂 I’d seen a similar one in the Ballard Designs catalog, but I knew it was too big for me — I’m small, with especially short legs, and a lot of chairs make it difficult for me to sit with my knees bent when my back is flat to the back of the chair (if that makes sense). I sat in this (very petite) chair in the store, and I knew it was perfect. I love silly little serendipitous moments like that. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Zak, I’m completely flattered you’d ask me. 🙂 I’ll brainstorm a bit — although I do actually like blog names that are their authors’ names … Especially for artists and photographers, since it seems like a good way to build brand recognition, so to speak.

      What are you hoping your new blog name will say about your space??

      🙂

      Like

      Reply
  6. Pingback: Shout-out Friday. | Joseph E Bird

Leave a comment