Why Silence Feels Uncomfortable (But Might Be What You Need)
We fill our days with sound.
Podcasts. Music. Voices.
Noise that comforts, motivates, and makes us feel less alone.
But underneath it all, there is quiet.
And sometimes, that quiet is the very thing we’re missing.
Prefer to watch or listen?
You can experience this reflection as a Slow Talks episode here:
What Quiet Really Is
Quiet is more than the absence of noise.
It is the space that opens up when the noise stops.
The pause between words. The stillness before a decision.
The breath you didn’t know you were holding.
For many of us, silence has become uncomfortable.
We reach for our phones without thinking.
We press play on something, anything, just to fill the space.
Even when we are not curious. Even when we are tired.
Why Silence Feels So Awkward
Silence gives space for things we usually avoid:
Thoughts we haven’t processed
Feelings we’ve postponed
Questions we don’t have answers to
It can feel empty. Vulnerable. A little too honest.
But it is also where clarity lives.
Where we begin to hear what matters.
Where we return to ourselves.
What You Might Hear in the Quiet
When you let a little quiet in, you might notice:
The wind outside your window
Your own breath
The soft, steady voice inside you
These sounds do not demand your attention. They anchor it.
And the more often you allow quiet, the easier it becomes to listen.
Not just to the world around you, but to what is within.
A Gentle Practice: Let Silence Be an Invitation
This is not about cutting everything out. It is about rhythm.
A walk with sound, and a walk without.
A morning with music, and a moment of stillness before sleep.
Try one of these today:
Take a short walk without headphones
Drink your coffee without a screen nearby
Pause for a breath before playing the next thing
Sit in silence for two minutes and notice what is present
You don’t need a retreat.
Just a moment.
Just enough quiet to come back to yourself.
Free Download: 5 Ways to Live Slower
If you’re longing for more calm in your day, I created a free guide called 5 Ways to Live Slower.
It offers simple, grounded ways to reconnect with presence, even in a busy life.
You can get it here.
There is no pressure. Just something gentle to carry with you if it feels like the right time.
A WAY TO QUIET
We often say we want peace.
We want clarity.
We want to feel more like ourselves.
But those things rarely arrive in the noise.
They come in the quiet.
When the distractions fade, and we are left with only what matters.
So today, just notice:
Where could you let a little quiet in?
Not because you should.
But because it might be exactly what you need.
Take care.
And stay close to what calms you.
