Finding Quiet in a Noisy Life
The noisier my life gets with all the boys, Barry the dog, and me shouting at them all from time to time… the more I crave silence. And finding quiet isn’t easy unless you think outside the box.
I remember the first time I properly noticed it. About 14 years ago, before I had my first baby, swimming was boring – just up and down, nothing happening. But after he arrived? That time in the pool became this precious pocket of peace. No headphones (don’t think you could get them then), no distractions. Just water and quiet – if I timed it right of course.
I kind of forgot about it for a while, to be honest. But now I actively choose silence.
The Sound of Silence I Actually Choose Now
Driving without the radio on. Walking the dog without a podcast in my ears (most of the time anyway – I do still love a good podcast). Just… listening to what’s actually there.
This morning I got back from my delightfully cold and snowy canal walk with the pup. Kids are back at school. The house is silent except for the hum of the fridge. And it sounds absolutely amazing.
I didn’t think “bloody hell, that fridge is loud.” I thought “wow – all I can hear is the fridge.” That’s quite a shift when you think about it. But after the busy school holidays for Christmas that noisy fridge was positively quiet to me.
Finding Quiet in a Busy Life (When You Actually Can)
If you’ve got a busy life (and let’s be honest, we all have), make time for a bit of silence.
Don’t rush to fill every quiet moment with noise or distraction. See what you notice. See what sounds you actually hear. See how it makes you feel.
It doesn’t have to be some grand silent retreat or a child-free house (because that’s not happening for me anytime soon). It can be:
- Five minutes in the bath after the kids have gone to bed, just lying there without switching your music on or watching anything on your phone
- That morning dog walk without the podcast
- Driving to the shops without turning the radio on
- Standing in your kitchen noticing all you can hear is the fridge humming
Also, it’s actually less dangerous walking without headphones in – you can hear the cars coming. Just saying.
The Gratitude for Quiet You Can Actually Find
I find it deeply relaxing. Some people really struggle with silence – and if that’s you, it’s all the more reason to try it. It usually means you really, really need it.
The shift isn’t about creating perfect silence (impossible with my lot). It’s about actively observing opportunities for more quiet rather than being negative about what you don’t have.
I didn’t moan about the fridge noise, for example, which I can’t fix, without buying a new fridge. And my motto is ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it – well the hubby’s certainly is and I’m morphing into him in some ways clearly. I thought: Wow – all I can hear is the fridge. That’s finding quiet in a noisy life right there.
Why Pockets of Quiet Matter
These moments aren’t wasted time. They’re not “doing nothing.” They’re giving your mind space to actually process things, to notice what’s around you, to just… be.
In our constantly connected, always-on world, finding quiet – even just the sound of the fridge – becomes a radical act of self-care. And if you ever need to be creative for work for example, creating content or a sales post etc. I find having brain space allows me to be far more creative so you should definitely try it too. If my brain is whirling and I have to create on a deadline it’s really tough. Go for a walk or shower or even a damn wee, it isn’t just the wee that is flowing. The creative juices flow too when you just give yourself a bit of peace and brain space.
What’s your relationship with silence? Do you seek it out, or does it make you uncomfortable? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Remember, loving life more isn’t about creating perfect conditions. It’s about noticing and appreciating the good that’s already there – even if it’s just the hum of the fridge.
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“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”
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