A Silent Day

Our modern society in the US in year 2020 is full of a tremendous amount of stimulus.  Everywhere you turn and everywhere you go, there is an alert, a video and a flashing sign.  We carry around our infinite information devices in our pockets and handbags at all times.  We maximize productivity by staying connected 24/7 only stopping to sleep, and sometimes not even then.

We connect with others around us, but we don't really connect because we are drawn into our devices, fragmenting the human interactions around us.  We aren't mindful of what we do because we are always half-in/half-out, trying to keep up.

Then, we disconnect from it all through habits that damage us in more ways than one and behaviors that send us on a downward spiral.

The Go Slow Life seeks to create a reality that is the antithesis to this.  There are many ways to create pockets of intentionality and quiet in our otherwise busy days, but at times, the antidote to this onslaught of information is a complete separation from it.  We recommend taking a Silent Day from time to time.

What is a Silent Day

A Silent Day is a day without interactions other than human to human in person connection.  A Silent Day doesn't fill tasks with background noise such as having the TV on while doing laundry or listening to a podcast while you drive.  A Silent Day isn't filled with back-to-back events, appointments, or obligations.  A Silent Day is slow, thoughtful, and patient.

A Silent Day isn't an unproductive day, but it's a day when productivity is not distracted by other communications, particularly digital interactions.  When participating in a Silent Day, avoid all social media and digital content in favor of analog varieties of information such as newspapers and books. 

A Silent Day enjoys meals without any other stimulus during the meal.  No conversation, no newspapers, no magazines, no scrolling. 

If you are like me, someone who needs quiet and alone time to recharge her batteries, this type of day can be very restorative.  If you are someone who is used to being on the go from sun up to sun down, this can feel very weird and uncomfortable at first. 

If you are someone who thrives on interactions and connection, and are thinking that this is for "introverts only" this can still be for you.  Taking silent, undisturbed time to let thoughts flow, whether about personal or professional pursuits, can be tremendously advantageous. (This is why we always come up with the best ideas in the shower!)

A Silent Day doesn't need to be a full 24 hours, but it should be a significant chunk of time. We recommend a minimum of 4 hours in order to get past the initial discomfort of being disconnected.

This is a more fine-tuned "mental health day".  It's not about pampering and avoiding it all, it's about being present for it all, exactly the way it is, in real time, with no distractions.  You'll be amazed at what you see, hear, smell and taste.

xo
Chase




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