In today’s constantly connected world, I find it difficult to take time for myself. It feels as if danger lurks if I am not tuned into everything that is happening. This feeling I experience is likely shared by many who read this piece.

Throughout human evolution, staying informed about our surroundings has been essential for survival. The need for information is coded into our genome as a vital necessity. In the pre-information explosion era, our maximum need for information was fulfilled through interactions with our townspeople, tribes, and families. Today, before we can even assess our needs, we are flooded with overwhelming amounts of information – yet perhaps only a drop of it is useful to us.

I have previously shared my reflections on the harm caused by this constant connectivity. If you are an introvert who craves silence, it is almost impossible to find it amidst this constant stream. Can I truly reach clarity about my inner questions when I am constantly connected and avoiding silence?

I feel sorrow, and I know that for me, sorrow means an opportunity to be silent and embark on a journey within. For others, it may mean sharing their feelings, lightening the burden through conversation. This is the difference between us as human beings. While the modern world excessively glorifies extroversion, nearly half of the people on this planet – like me – are introverts who need silence.

Silence is what we need today.

When was the last time you experienced complete silence? Away from the noise of the city, even the noise of nature. Absolute silence.

“A withered pond, drowned in silence
A frog jumps, a brief sound – silence again.”

Reflect for a moment  silence has been taken from us. Even in moments of grief. Perhaps one day, we can be like the solitary Eskimo, who – when sad, angry, or burdened with any other difficult emotion – wanders endlessly in the infinite silence of the poles until the feeling fades.

Silence.