Finding Value in Silence (for your creative self)

Posted by William Lehman

February 28, 2007

I am increasingly becoming aware that we live in a culture that is fixated on noise. I am not sure exactly why this is. Perhaps it means that people always have something going on, that they don’t really want to look at who they really are as much as being defined by the things they surround themselves with? I really wish I knew.

One problem I find is that it’s almost impossible to find a place that is truly quiet.

I have talked with my wife about it numerous times and have determined that one day when we have our own home, I am going to make my office completely soundproof.

The reasoning? Well, besides just liking the quiet and the ability to hear myself think, I love that feeling of peace that permeates the silence. I know it seems strange but in that peaceful quiet place is where great ideas are born for me.

So here’s a little project that I find helps my creativity, inspires me and recharges me. Lately, it’s been about once a month when I plan to be home for a day I will do this.

Go buy a cheap pair of earplugs (I’d recommend the swimmers earplugs). Plan a day when you have to go nowhere, that you can just work at home or read a book. If you don’t plan it, it just won’t happen. If you can, the night before, put in your earplugs. You will notice you can still hear things, but everything is just quieter. Sleep with them in. Wake up when you normally would, get ready as if you were going to work. (One of the most peaceful things I think in the world is taking a shower in almost complete silence.) Wear them throughout the day. Recharge, regroup, read, draw, paint, (play with the animals) etc. Just enjoy your day. Just after dinner when the day would normally wind down anyway, take out your earplugs. Enjoy the time with your family. Try to maintain that feeling of peace through going to sleep early that night.

If anything, this has been something I look forward to each month now. Having this day. To me, I view regrouping and rejuvinating my creative side as necessary work. Albeit, work I enjoy.

Life