Photo By Dammit_jack From flickr

This was an experiment I tried once.

The experiment was just to stay silent for a whole day. Of course, I can’t really stay silent for a whole day since if a teacher asked me a question I have to respond. So the goal was to keep the speaking to the minimum.

I did this experiment because many people said that talking is only a small part of communication. As I did the experiment I realized several benefits of not talking apart from better communication.

Peace: As I did the experiment, I found peace within myself. I can’t really describe it, it’s like an overwhelming energy, but it isn’t a throbbing energy like anger that threatens to engulf you. The energy is calm and soothing, it felt like a warm blanket. The energy I felt also reduced and in some cases eliminated social pressure.

Awareness: I never realized how much I actually talked. I always thought that I am a quiet guy but I think I underestimated myself (or overestimated depending on how you look at it).

Opposite attraction: When I was doing the experiment, I found that people who talked a lot seem to want to talk to me.

Inner wisdom: That was how I felt at the time. When I didn’t speak, I noticed different angles to opinions. When my friends argued, I could see from the other point of view as well as my friends’.

Creativity: I got more ideas on that day then most others. I think those ideas have always been there but because I was silent, I noticed them more.

Motivation: Don’t know why but I felt I done more work that day then others. I just had the drive to do work.

Me time: You know how people always go you need to have some time all to yourself? Well that day, I had all 24 hours to myself. Since I didn’t talk, the time others talked I had me time. I delved into my mind and stayed there for a whole day, it was very nice.

Be nice: This could be the side effect of having peace within myself (see first point). During the day, I had an urge to be nicer to people then I normally am.

I felt that this experiment is great; too bad it’s just too unconventional. There is also the problem of whether writing, texting, etc count as talking. However, it is a great experiment to try for only a day or two.