For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a problem with silence. Being awake and home alone in the dead of the night, driving on an empty highway at 1am without the radio on, standing on top of a mountain with nothing but the sound of wind and your own breath. The feeling of silence. Or perhaps, the fear of it?
Is that why many people feel the need to fill pauses in conversation with trivial sayings? How many times have you or your first date begin sentences with, “…Sooo, ..” while trailing ff into nothing particular? Are we afraid of what the other person is silently thinking when they are not occupied in conversation? Are we afraid of our own self-deprecating/narcissistic thoughts ping pong-ing in our heads?
Personally, I find that I am becoming comfortable with silence. I’m finding it quite fun actually. Sitting back and observing the person across from you awkwardly quirm as they try to fill the air between the two of you with non-sensical musings.
What do you think?
Young Humble 