beaver den

(noun) 1. The female version of a man cave; alternative term for she shed 2. A colloquial term used to describe a room or other location that is used as a place to relax and recharge or otherwise perform leisure activities, usually apart from the other inhabitants of the home.

Loosely deriving its name from the American idiom “busy as a beaver,” beaver dens are necessary areas of refuge for hard-working individuals that take on a lot of roles and who often put the needs of others above their own and are therefore susceptible to burnout. Beaver dens are most effective when visited regularly and adorned in a way that is pleasing to the main occupant. While the person to which the beaver den belongs may invite others into it at their own discretion, it is imperative that they be permitted to occupy it in solitude as well to remain in touch with their personal identity separate from any other titles they might possess.

I went home on spring break and found a new flat screen TV, crafting supplies and a wine fridge in my room; it turns out my mom turned it into her beaver den and I’m sleeping in the guest room.