Takeaway: Don’t fear the silence. Instead, welcome its reflective powers.
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Many people go through life avoiding silence. Not just a quiet space, but the silence that forces us to look inside ourselves.
Rushing from activity to activity, fetishizing a busy schedule that leaves no room to breathe.
And when you don't have something to do, you turn to TV, movies, or most often—your phone. TikTok, Instagram reels, or Youtube rabbit holes. You endlessly scroll through social media to occupy and distract your mind.
Why do you try so hard to avoid the silence?
The silence forces you to look inside yourself: at your shortcomings, your screw-ups, and your mistakes. Creeping into your mind come the thoughts of things you could have done differently, things you could be doing differently.
Therein lies the power of silence.
The power to explore your dreams and aspirations. The power to settle into your thoughts and acknowledge whether you are actually living to your potential. To ask yourself if you are living in a way that leaves you fulfilled.
That is why the silence can be so scary.
If you allow yourself to recognize these desires, then you feel a responsibility to do something about them. That's uncomfortable.
This self-evaluation is what truly separates those who are successful from those who continue to avoid the silence at all costs—even the cost of their happiness.
To more time exploring the silence,
~ Coach Alex
Hello, Alex this article particularly resonates with me. As someone who was born in the internet age, this article made me realize that I truthfully rarely have complete silence. I find I have an incredibly difficult time switching off my mind and having complete silence. Is there anything you suggest to try and shut off my mind a bit and work to embrace silence a bit more?