The value of silence

Do you leave space for silence in your day?

You know, time to unplug and just be.

It can be tempting sometimes, especially when anxiety & overwhelm are driving the day, to zone out watching tv all evening or to make sure you’re always busy. 

It can give the illusion of quieting the intrusive or overwhelming thoughts because they aren’t so obvious to us as long as we keep ourselves busy and ensure we’re surrounded by noise. 

But the reality is that not giving space to these thoughts, whether that looks like ignoring them or trying to outrun them, really only perpetuates the problem. 

By not acknowledging them, we’re allowing them to continue to fester below the surface and occupy space in our minds. 

I know it can be scary to start acknowledging    them, but this can really be key in helping to regulate your nervous system and quiet the racing thoughts long-term. 

So start small. Maybe try reading for 5-10 minutes with no background noise. Or try washing the dishes (or some other form of housework) without any other distractions. Go for a quiet walk. It will be uncomfortable at first, and that’s ok. 

Acknowledge the thoughts you have without judging them. If you find that your brain is reminding you of all the things you need to do, take the time to write them down. 

If you find they’re things you’re worried about, get curious about these thoughts and ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen. Usually, you’ll find that the worse-case scenario is still bearable and that can help ease the stress. 

You may find that a brain dump (writing down all the thoughts that enter your mind) is helpful in creating space for you. 

Again, this will be uncomfortable at first so ease yourself in slowly & give yourself grace. You’ll slowly learn what works best for you and you may even come to enjoy the silence.