”And maybe it’s actually not so much about changing, but more so about becoming the person one always has been. Not finding oneself, but recognising and honouring that self.”

– l.m.v

I’ve noticed that the quieter my surroundings, hence the less stimuli I expose myself to, the more space I create for my inner voice to shine through. I easily distract myself with either work, social media, music, a podcast, a book or by watching YouTube. However, I do cherish the time in-between; doing yoga, taking a walk in nature, exercising or meditating. Nevertheless, even then it’s not completely quiet around me, since I always have music, a podcast or a book in my ears.

After one week with less stimuli, and outside distractions, I’ve once again noticed the importance of silence in order to hear the silent whispers of the soul, and to reach that so called flow state.

It’s not uncommon that we humans find the silence to be boring, and even frustrating – especially if one is not used to it. And if one is running away from their feelings, their thoughts or from life itself, the silence can even become unbearable. Nonetheless, after a couple of days one really starts to appreciate the stillness, and one might even learn how to use the hours with softness, despite the discomfort.

What to do with the silence?

Ease in to it, and trust that within the silence lies a significant amount of wisdom, ready to be experienced by you. The only thing required; your presence.

So, instead of escaping the silence, I’ve been inviting the silence. By embracing doing absolutely nothing I’ve noticed how the words have started flowing more effortlessly to me. Being on the yoga mat, doing some light stretching, without any distractions, is exactly what my soul has been starving for. It’s like it has created space within, for new energy to enter.

I truly believe creativity stems from an external source outside of us. This force is searching for an attentive and open-minded human being to feel, or experience, this subtle shift in energies, and thereby transform it into something tangible, whether it’s a painting, a poem, a novel or an invention. And by being in stillness, one allows for this energy to do its thing. To work its magic.

So, a little advice from me to you; Don’t rush through the moments of silence, the moments of stillness, cause within their insignificance lie a more subtle meaning. To fill the most ordinary day with joy and bliss is within your reach each and every day. Take a glimpse within, and know, while there’s no need to rush through life, there’s a tremendous need to start appreciating life.

With this being said, I do believe we can learn a lot from Mother Nature when it comes to embracing the silence, embracing the now and issness of the moment. While dancing through seasons, she does not rush. Taking her time to unwind, to unfold, to let go and to transform. Allowing herself to bloom. Month after month. Year after year. Going through phases fully present, fully alive. Fully confident in her transparency and vulnerability. Wise enough to know, that letting go doesn’t necessarily mean being deprived of, but creating space, creating opportunity. She has her end-goals and dreams, however, at the same time she acknowledges the process and the in-betweens. The tranquillity of being winter when she’s winter, summer when she’s summer.

Flow state

When you’re enjoying what you’re doing you easily reach that so called flow state. A state of being when time passes by without you even noticing. A state of being when you’re your most creative self. A state of being when you’re guided by your inner voice. A state of being that can only be described by the words pure bliss.

Some features of ”flow” according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist. He recognised and named the psychological concept of flow, a highly focused mental state conducive to productivity.

▫️Challenging but attainable goals
▫️Strong focused concentration
▫️The activity is intrinsically rewarding
▫️Feelings of serenity
▫️Loss of self-consciousness
▫️Timelessness/lose track of time passing
▫️Lack of awareness of physical needs
▫️Complete focus on the activity itself

”The best moments in our lives are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times. The best moments usually occur if a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.”

– MIHALY CSIKSZENTMIHALYI

Reflect upon if or when you’ve experienced this kind of flow state, and what you were doing during that time.

l.m.v