You captured it so beautifully: we mistake stimulation for nourishment, noise for meaning. And yet, the real shift begins when we stop filling every crack and start listening to the silence, the self, the stillness we’ve avoided. I personally struggle with noise, loud music, too many energies and the constant need to be busy. I prefer to sit in silence and just be with myself. Not sure if that's a condition but it's me 😂
You are definitely not alone in this, lol. People ask me what my plans are for the weekend, and often I have a hard time knowing what to say when the answer is sitting, deep thinking, reflecting... some might even say meditating. It's taken years to get here, but now I sometimes feel I'm a bit to the extreme in preserving this peace. Then again, there are different seasons we all go through. As for music, I think it depends on the season and what I'm doing (like I always need music at the gym). Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate hearing others' thoughts on these things. Also, nice to meet another silence seeker! 😉
This a signature article Stef, one of your best in my view. I’m one of the worst offenders of trying to be “productive” in life, the smart watch, the latest tech, it never ends. But then, what you’re asking us to question, deeply, is what does it actually mean to be “productive” in your personal life.
Once you get on that hamster wheel of productivity, the next hack, it’s extremely hard to get off, you become complacent, and think this is just how it is. However, you offer a great prescription, recognize it, and take small incremental steps to wean off the delusion that more is better.
Thank you Kevin. Signature article? I find it surprising that the posts I write, which I think will be 'okay', seem to land the most. Goes to show, what do I know lol. I'm so glad hear that you picked up on the deeper questions. I try not to prescribe often in my writing, but I hope it helped people remember that we can start small. Over time it makes a difference. Even the act of become aware is a huge first step! Thanks again for your comments and sharing your own thoughts on this topic!
You captured it so beautifully: we mistake stimulation for nourishment, noise for meaning. And yet, the real shift begins when we stop filling every crack and start listening to the silence, the self, the stillness we’ve avoided. I personally struggle with noise, loud music, too many energies and the constant need to be busy. I prefer to sit in silence and just be with myself. Not sure if that's a condition but it's me 😂
You are definitely not alone in this, lol. People ask me what my plans are for the weekend, and often I have a hard time knowing what to say when the answer is sitting, deep thinking, reflecting... some might even say meditating. It's taken years to get here, but now I sometimes feel I'm a bit to the extreme in preserving this peace. Then again, there are different seasons we all go through. As for music, I think it depends on the season and what I'm doing (like I always need music at the gym). Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate hearing others' thoughts on these things. Also, nice to meet another silence seeker! 😉
This a signature article Stef, one of your best in my view. I’m one of the worst offenders of trying to be “productive” in life, the smart watch, the latest tech, it never ends. But then, what you’re asking us to question, deeply, is what does it actually mean to be “productive” in your personal life.
Once you get on that hamster wheel of productivity, the next hack, it’s extremely hard to get off, you become complacent, and think this is just how it is. However, you offer a great prescription, recognize it, and take small incremental steps to wean off the delusion that more is better.
Loved this piece, well done!
Thank you Kevin. Signature article? I find it surprising that the posts I write, which I think will be 'okay', seem to land the most. Goes to show, what do I know lol. I'm so glad hear that you picked up on the deeper questions. I try not to prescribe often in my writing, but I hope it helped people remember that we can start small. Over time it makes a difference. Even the act of become aware is a huge first step! Thanks again for your comments and sharing your own thoughts on this topic!
My articles go the same way, but it’s a lot of fun. Have a great weekend!
It will be interesting to see what this looks like over the next one to five years as information becomes absolutely free with AI
What does stimulation with nourishment look and sound like to you AND balancing the space to sit or walk in stillness? How do you manage both needs?