#83 Spend an entire day in silence (losing my voice doesn’t count)

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I didn’t lose my voice. I didn’t have any errands to run outside the home. And I had a free Friday where Super Husband was away on a backpacking trip. Anyone else smell opportunity?

My intention for this day of silence included not speaking and avoiding any unnecessary noise, such as music, TV, and radio. Relaxed silence and ample time for introspection, productivity, and refreshment.

It wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined.

I had my weekly Skype date with my sister planned for Friday afternoon, so I started my “day of silence” on Thursday afternoon. At first, it was incredibly refreshing! I came home from work and, rather than turning on the news or a TV show, like I’m wont to do while making dinner or doing other chores, I got right down to my to do list.

While I claim to be a great multitasker, I’ll admit, things went a lot more speedily without the distraction of TV or even music. (Hey, I’m a dancer, and “background music” finds its way into my feet when I’m supposed to be doing something productive like dishes.) As things started to wind down, I faced my first “what now?” moment.

Evenings are usually spent with Super Husband—watching one of our favorite TV shows, sharing about our days, making plans, going over the calendar, or talking about anything and everything! So what now? In this realm of silence (or relative silence, given the road noise right outside our door), it's easier to “do as the Pioneers did” and just go to bed when the sun sets! What a concept!

Friday was easy at first. Since I’d already been silent for over 12 hours, I didn’t feel that tug for noise. You know what I mean? I’m an introvert, so I often feel like I have to warm up the voice and mind to talking that day. Otherwise, I find myself stumbling over words and abandoning all grammar! Sounds a little weird, but for me, that’s why I like to turn on the radio or an audio book during my drive to work. So it was kind of nice to abandon that practice and just keep quiet. Feels like staying in your pajamas all day.

It actually felt as if my hearing perked up, too. I became more aware of the hums and creaks of our house, the tweets of little birds in our bushes, the rustling breeze through the leaves, and the gentle swish of the neighbor’s sprinkler. Silence of the mouth seems to mean improvement of the ears—or just hearing, in general. It allowed me to hear the NON-silence around me as well as the loudness of thought. I find myself thinking more about people in my life, and turning over thoughts or ideas I’d pushed aside in busyness.

Just when I started getting really comfortable with the silence, I started noticing the music still playing…in my head! Bits of songs and lyrics kept cycling through as I sat on our porch reading travel books or folding laundry. And as the last few hours of my “silent day” wound down, I found myself humming! (Oops!) Sometimes a little laugh would escape me when I stumbled across a funny memory. And yes, I accidentally talked to myself at one point, wondering aloud why something or other was out of place…

But I was immediately aware of it! The realization made me jump a little in dismay, and then smile. This wasn’t just about completing a self-challenge but about getting quiet. Spending time decluttering life and getting quiet before my Lord. And I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity! Since then, the moments of silence I find scattered throughout my day seem richer. I’m still not really sure how to explain it. Try it and maybe you’ll see (or hear?) too!