A Room and an Income: Reflections on Independence

2301晨花鹿

Two keywords that capture the essence of this book are undoubtedly “a room” and “money”. As Virginia Woolf famously stated, “A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.” Here, “a room” signifies far more than mere physical space; it symbolizes an independent mental territory for women — a place free from the interruptions of husband, children, and household chores, where one can think freely and write in peace. In Woolf’s view, only by possessing such a “room” can women truly listen to their inner voice and produce writing that is authentically their own.

And “money” is the very precondition for this “room”. Woolf used her own experience as an example: it was only after inheriting an annuity of £500 a year (equivalent to approximately 230,000 yuan today) that she gained real financial autonomy, enabling her to decline unwanted obligations and devote herself entirely to writing. Through her study of women writers in history, she also observed that those who managed to leave behind a body of work often possessed some degree of financial security. Economic independence remains the cornerstone of intellectual independence.

This quote also leads me to reflect on our generation. While at university, we may be free from our parents’ direct supervision, yet we still rely on their financial support. When do we truly become adults? The answer is clear: economic independence is the first step. Only then can we confidently say to our parents, “I’ve grown up.”

As an English major in this era, I seem to have numerous options, yet it’s easy to feel lost. After four years of undergraduate study, which path should I take? Some classmates aim for postgraduate recommendations or further studies, striving for high GPAs through intense academic work, competitions, and research. Others plan to start working right after graduation — an opportunity to gain experience early in society. But we then face a series of daunting questions: “What do I want to become? Should I take the civil service exam? What career? And what about the salary?” With minds not fully matured, few of us can answer all these questions clearly. However, most of us hold certain expectations regarding income — hoping to achieve financial independence and buy what we desire, as the most direct and rewarding aspect of work is often this very economic autonomy.

Yet, ideals are plump while reality is lean. Many end up turning down job opportunities precisely because the salary falls short of expectations. Referring to Woolf’s £500 annuity, equivalent to around 230,000 yuan today — even with such an income, many young people today may still find it difficult to secure “a room of one’s own,” given pressures like supporting aging parents, inflation, and other practical constraints.

Nevertheless, I still believe that for an English major like me, earning a net 230,000 yuan in the first year after graduation would indeed bring a tangible sense of happiness. It is more than just a number; it represents a possibility: the ability to rely on my own efforts to build my own “room,” cultivating the freedom of intellectual independence upon the foundation of economic self-sufficiency.

This goal is both a sober assessment of reality and a romantic hope for personal growth. It reminds me to ground myself in building practical skills for living, while always keeping a window open in my heart — a view into a broader world that I can claim as my own.