I love this image of the jellyfish in the sea. It makes me think of the word “silence.”
And the moment I first realized how good silence is for a sensitive soul like me.
It was 1998 and I was on vacation in Maui, Hawaii. My then hubby (later ex) and I were going scuba diving for the first time.
To say I was nervous going into the wide open sea, with all my diving gear on, is an understatement. I was petrified.
That is until I reached the sandy ocean floor. And looked back up. Towards the surface — to the world “out there.”
And was I suddenly struck by how quiet it was “down here.”
How blissfully quiet.
And how calm all that silence made me feel.
It was a magical moment.
One that’s stayed with me through the years.
As has my need to seek out quiet solitude whenever I’m feeling overstimulated.
Anxious. Off-balance.
When the noisy world starts to overwhelm me, I know exactly what I need to do.
I turn off my TV, phone, and computer.
And I seek a quiet, peaceful space.
Like the sanctuary of my cozy bedroom.
The serenity of my outdoor garden.
Or the beauty of a quiet forest or seashore.
As an HSP (highly sensitive person) who grew up with a loud family and parents who bickered a lot, I feel off-balance and emotionally dysregulated when there’s too much noise around me.
And I crave the power of silence.
It calms my nervous system and soothes my soul.
And it helps me reconnect with my intuition.
My creativity.
With who I really am deep in my core.
Which is a powerful thing. Especially in today’s world.
Where we’re constantly bombarded with information. Distracted with all the things. And encouraged to keep running on the hamster wheel of life.
Go, go, go! Do, do, do!
So it can feel difficult (if not impossible) to slow down. Pause. And sit in silence.
Even though being in silence is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.
It helps restore your energy.
And reconnects you…to YOU. The real you.
And to the still small voice within that’s been trying to get your attention.
To tell you what your soul really wants and needs, in order to be happy.
And feel whole.
Here’s four simple steps you can try:
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Find a quiet space
Where you can be without life’s regular noise or distractions: a room, the car, the forest, anywhere you choose ( it can even be a bathroom if that’s the quietest spot!).
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BE in silence for 3-5 min
Start small. Just a few minutes with no phone, no music, no podcasts, no news, no distractions!
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Allow whatever needs to arise, to arise
Maybe it’s a word, phrase, feeling, desire, longing, or a deep need that’s been trying to get your attention. Let it come to the surface. And see what message it has for you.
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Repeat this as often as you need to
The more you escape the noise, the better (and more normal) silence begins to feel.
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Why not give yourself the gift of silence for a little while?
Before the world (your partner, family, kids, pets, job, to-do lists) demands your attention.
And life gets noisy again.
Know that you can always come back to this silent space, anytime you want.
It’ll be there for you always, quietly waiting.
Kerry xo
P.S. If you need a little support slowing down and getting off the hamster wheel of life download my FREE guided breathing meditation here. As the world speeds up, it’s time to slow down. And breathe. Just breathe.
I love this post and the mention of HSP is really great, I just found this term lately and have been researching its relevance to me. And yes to silence! 👌
Thanks Kellie! I first learned about HSPs when I read Elaine Aaron’s book about 10 years ago — because I thought my sister was one! (Which she is!) Took me awhile you “get” that I was one too! Explains so much! And has helped me embrace myself, as I am, even more! 😊