What if silence isn’t just an absence but a presence—one we’ve forgotten how to embrace? In our noisy, busy days, it’s easy to let the quiet moments slip away. Drowned by the constant flood of notifications, never-ending to-do lists, and constant demands, the chatter in our minds becomes louder and loader. But what if the silence is precisely what we need?
Last year, inspired by stories of people seeking silence and solitude, I felt a tug to try it myself. But I wanted to do it differently—gently and with the planet in mind. I rented a wooden hut high in the nearby mountains, close enough to keep travel light and carbon footprints smaller. No electricity, no WiFi, no books, instead a wooden stove to cook, an indoor fireplace and a few candles. Simplicity at its best, ticking all boxes:) For five days, I exchanged convenience for quiet, trading the hum of daily life for the rustle of the wind and the soft crackle of a fire I coaxed into life with my own hands.
As soon as I was left there, I set up a few rules for myself:
- No conversations, even with myself.
- No books to keep my mind away.
- No music or podcasts to fill the space.
- No goals, no tasks, no “doing.” Just being.
It wasn’t easy—at least, not at first. I set my intentions on that first evening, sat at the table… and promptly fell asleep. When I woke, hours had passed, and the cabin was already completely dark. Exhausted, I climbed up to by bed and drifted into one of the deepest, most restful sleep I’d had in years—15 hours, to be exact (!).
The following day greeted me with crisp and cool air. I was rested, energised, and ready for the day ahead. But oh, that first coffee—it’s burned into my memory. It took me two hours to make, starting with chopping wood (damp wood, no less) and stoking the fire. But when I finally poured that cup, the taste was something else entirely!
On the first day, my mind raced, clinging to the familiar noise of daily life. But the quiet started working its magic as the hours turned into days. The noise within me softened, and clarity slowly took over.
What Did Silence Teach Me?
I used to think silence was just an absence, a void. But I realised it’s anything but empty—it’s alive, brimming with answers I hadn’t stopped long enough to hear before. When the noise quietened, I began to notice the whispers: the steady rhythm of my breath, the beating of my heart, and the world, unfiltered and unhurried.
Here are the lessons that surfaced during those still-unbroken days:
- Clarity blooms in the quiet. All the thoughts that once crowded my mind began to ease. In the stillness, I could finally start hearing myself again. In that listening, I uncovered truths I didn’t even know I was seeking.
- Presence is a gift. Without the pull of tomorrow or the weight of yesterday, I found myself fully rooted in the now, appreciating moments as they unfolded.
- Slower isn’t weaker. When I stopped rushing, I didn’t lose my way. I gained it. I moved with purpose, with direction, and with the energy.
Bringing Quiet into Your Everyday
You don’t need a mountain hut to embrace the beauty of silence. Start small. Begin where you are. Let the quiet tiptoe into your life, gently and intentionally.
- Silent Mornings: Begin your day with calm. No phones, no conversations—just a warm cup in hand and the sound of the world waking up around you.
- Nature’s Whispers: Take a walk with no distractions. Hear the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, the call of a bird, or the wind weaving through the trees.
- Pause with Purpose: Set aside ten minutes to breathe. Let your inhales and exhales be your only focus.
Each of these moments is a tiny doorway to the kind of stillness that heals and reveals.
Why Routines Need a Shake
Routines comfort us, keeping life predictable and manageable. But they also dull our senses, wrapping each day in sameness. Sometimes, all it takes to awaken your mind is a little shake—a small step outside your usual rhythm.
- Choose a New Path: On your next walk or drive, pick a route you’ve never taken before. Notice the colours, the shapes, the scents of a world you usually miss.
- Switch Your Rituals: If you always sip coffee while scrolling emails, try a cup of herbal tea with a few moments of quiet reflection instead.
- Try Something New: A recipe, a hobby, a skill—anything unfamiliar can lighten your mind and bring fresh energy to your day.
Change doesn’t have to be dramatic. Even the smallest shift can bring the world into sharper focus.
The Gift of Stillness
On my second morning in the mountains, I woke craving coffee. Back home, it would’ve been simple: press a button, sip, done. But here, it was different. The wood for the stove was damp from rain. I had to split it, dry it, and coax a fire to life before I could even think about boiling water.
Two hours later, I held the simplest cup of coffee in my hands. No milk, no sugar—just the deep, earthy taste of effort and patience. And it was, undoubtedly, the most satisfying coffee I’ve ever had.
Sometimes, the beauty of life isn’t in its ease but its slowness. When we take the time to notice and savour, even the simplest moments become extraordinary.
Could You Embrace Silence?
What if you allowed yourself the gift of stillness? Here’s a kind invitation:
- Set the Scene: Close the door, turn off your digital devices and create a space where quiet can take the space.
- Take a Moment: Spend 30 minutes (or more) simply being. No tasks, no distractions—just you.
- Reflect: How did it feel? What did you notice? What thoughts or feelings bubbled up in the stillness?
Silence isn’t about emptiness—it’s about richness. It’s a space where your mind can wander, your heart can rest, and your spirit can gently find balance.
A Ritual for Balance
Since that trip, I’ve decided to make silence a regular part of my life. I’ll carve out a few days every three months to pause, reflect, and listen to the quiet. These aren’t escapes—they’re anchors. A way to root myself in who I am and what matters most.
I will leave you with a few last questions to reflect on:
- When was the last time you truly experienced silence? What did it feel like?
- What’s one small way you could bring more stillness into your life this week?
- What part of your routine feels like it’s on autopilot? How could you shake it up?
Take a breath. Slow down. Listen. The world will wait.
Sources:
- The Sounds of Silence: Exploring Lessons about Silence, Listening, and Presence, Laurence A. Savett, MD, FACP savet001, Volume 17, Issue 4, https://doi.org/10.1891/1078-4535.17.4.16
- https://psychcentral.com/blog/the-hidden-benefits-of-silence#self-awareness
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1860846/
