Last March 16, I set my laptop on my kitchen table and started my first zoom school room. Light streamed in from the side window. My coffee pot was steps away. It seemed the perfect spot.
It took less than a week for me to realize that the sunlight was annoying. I had to keep shifting to keep my screen from being obscured. The reflection of the overhead lighting made shadows on my projected images, and having my classwork mixed up with the makings of meals was not ideal for anyone.
So I created a space for all things school. Our oldest’s son’s former bedroom in the front of the house became my office. And while I call it my hole, I dearly love my space.
The wall displays my kid’s historic artwork, my shelf of professional books are within reach, my cat curls up on pillows to my left, and my desk houses my continually charged laptop.
My things are never in anyone’s way and no one is in my things.
As much as I want to crawl out of my pandemic bunker into the light, I know I will continue to retreat into the room a pandemic created.
Read more slices here.
To Read To Write To Be 
I consider you lucky to have a place of your own. A bookshelf and art work make it feel warmer and softer and less school. I am in my living room. I kind of feel that the bookshelf behind me supports me emotionally.
Books are grounding. When I used other rooms in my house I always gravitated towards them.
I really love that last line! I think that captures the feels of so many during this pandemic.
When I wrote it I had no thought beyond the literal meaning, But through your eyes I see so much more. Ah, the gift of a reader.
I love it! Some good things have come out of this pandemic. New spaces is one of them!
I wish I had my own space. Luckily, I’m mostly at school now… but how I’d how I’d love a space I didn’t have to constantly clear away. Also, a door to block out the noise of my family would be amazing. I’m glad you’ve found a hole!
Yes. I suppose there are some advantages to an empty nest. I miss my kids and had resisted changing it from a son’s space to mine. It took pandemic teaching for me to see the value!
Love the idea of the room a pandemic created … so much power in this one line. What a scaffold for young writers The …. a pandemic created. So many ideas come to mind — tradition, connection, hobby, space …. thank you for sharing.
I love how you found a teaching point in this post. I wasn’t thinking beyond conveying the meaning of the room for me. Thank you!
This line says it all: “And while I call it my hole, I dearly love my space.” I know that feeling well. And as others have said, the title and last line are wonderful. Great reading, this.
I also enjoyed your title and your piece. And I also took over my son’s old bedroom/then guest room/now my office and virtual classroom. Aren’t we lucky to have those spaces?
Well, you have created the perfect 2020 into 2021 “Room of one´s own.”
I am gradually taking over my son’s room, too. Luckily, I have not had to teach from home since last spring as we have been face-to-face this school year. Your room is a positive thing that you can take away from this pandemic.
So much to love in this post. This past year I think perhaps we have all realized that having a safe place to retreat is a positive thing that we can carry forward.
I’ve ended up in my college son’s room as well. Not bad, but the NFL logos all over the walls get kids’ attention! Way to adapt to make the best of circumstances.
What a lovely space, no wonder you treasure it and won’t be giving it up in the future. It’s good that some positive things have come out of last year! I feel you in the line “and no one is in my things”! That is precious.