The Best quotes from Virginia Woolf

I first learned from Virginia Woolf when I had to read a text from her called Modern Fiction. From there I decided to do some small research on her. I always have to remind myself that even a successful person like Virginia Woolf can still deal with mental problems. Virginia Woolf died by suicide; she wrote a letter to her husband, explaining that there is no hope left in her. The letter truly broke my heart. She dealt with mental issues her whole life.

Here are some quotes I found from her that I find interesting.

“If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.”

I would be upset if someone where to judge me and think they know me when they don’t take the time to look at themselves or ask themselves about any mistakes they may have done. It’s essential to be honest about yourself because it can make other people be honest too. For example; I do get that fear of getting judged every time I talk about my past relationship of seven years, but the reason I’m very honest is because I want to show people that they can still move forward despite their regrets in life and I also want them to trust me and understand that I am not one to judge.

“I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out; and I thought how it is worse, perhaps, to be locked in.”

Being locked out can be terrible, but when you are not allowed out and have no freedom, it can make you hopeless. When you are locked in, you are preventing yourself from opportunities in life.

“I can only note that the past is beautiful because one never realizes an emotion at the time. It expands later, and thus we don’t have complete emotions about the present, only about the past”

I look back at the things in my past and realized how many beautiful moments I had but at the time they happened, I did not realize it. I remember when I was nine years old and how my little half-sister would be so excited to see me and hug me. I remember how she would beg me to stay and not go back to my home.

“I have lost friends, some by death, others by sheer inability to cross the street.”

I never want to go through a breakup with my best friend. We became close in senior year of high school and despite our schedules and busy lives, we always check up on each other. I love that we are understanding towards each other and not believe that not talking everyday means our friendship is falling apart. It is sad that friendships fall apart because of lack of effort.

“The older one grows, the more one likes indecency.”

I did not quite understand what Woolf meant by this. Some members of my boyfriend’s family think it is immoral to drink or go to the clubs, they view it as wasting your time with your life. For me, when I went to the club the first time, I had a wonderful experience but that never changed my mind about my goals. It’s okay to have fun in any way you like as long as you do not get distracted from being successful. As I gotten older I started to feel confident on wearing dresses and there’s people who believe that wearing a dress that shows your legs mean you are indecent.

"Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends."

Like Virginia Woolf, I also go to my friends whenever I am happy, angry, or depressed. I know I can count on them to listen to my emotions. I love that they never ignore me or make me feel like my feelings are not validated. You should go to someone who will always be there for you or support you.

“Never pretend that the things you haven't got are not worth having.”

I will be honest: I am 24 years old and I am still not able to drive by myself. I am still learning. For me to say driving is not worth it just because I am not an expert at it only shows I am making excuses. I know that with more practice my fear of driving will decrease. My biggest dream is to one day work for an online magazine and make money because I do not want to work my whole life at a factory. I would love to work from home and write articles while also taking care of my daughter. With my dedication and passion I believe that I will one day reach my goal.