I recently had to practice being silent for a day for a yoga teacher training program I am in. This was the first time I have ever done anything like this before. I work a full time job and have a boyfriend, so figuring out how this was going to work was a little overwhelming at first. I have to say, it wasn’t that hard to manage. Choose a time where you will be away from work the most and let the people in your life know that you will be practicing silence during the specified time period. People will ask questions, they most likely will not understand why, but they will respect your decision.
Practicing silence is a beautiful thing. You will notice how little really needs to be said. My experience was easier than I imagined. I naturally am a quiet person, who often feels socially awkward. Being silent was actually liberating, I didn’t have to make small talk with the lady at the grocery check out or say hello to every person I see at work. All I had to do was smile. It was nice. I imagine being silent for a longer period of time would have even more impact.
I designed and had stickers printed for those interested in practicing silence. They will help when you are in social settings or if you need to be in public. If someone tries to talk to you, point at the sticker and smile. It is much harder to try and let the person know you are practicing silence with out it. You can purchase them here.
I would love to hear about your experiences and if you had any revelations or eye opening experiences during your time of silence.