The power of pause

The value of seeking silence in our overstimulated lives

Drifting away by Ananya (Instagram)

I used to spend a lot of time staring out windows. My gaze would drift, my head might turn softly and there I would settle quite happily into my mind. Sometimes I would think about whatever task I had in front of me. But more often than not, I would just linger looking at the blue sky or billowy clouds. 

At some point a voice would puncture through the stillness. Jerking me back. Usually, to return to equations I was struggling to compute. I never did like math. 

But looking back, I can distinctly remember many moments both during and outside of high school where I did a lot of staring into space, drifting off, sitting with my thoughts or that lovely quiet place. When a thought has exited and a new one hasn’t quite formed yet. 

I don’t do a lot of that anymore. Life just seems a little too. Busy. 

How others use space.

Space. Some of us would seek to fill it. Others would look for more ways to remove things from it. In our homes, in our lives, in our minds. 

What about blank space?

Blank space. Empty space. White space. Negative space. They all refer to the same thing. Space that is devoid of objects or things.

Blank space pulls the eye to focus on a specific area of the page, room, or screen. It can draw the eye gently down, up or around, coaxing it to see more. 

Blank space is the glue that brings everything together and holds it all together. 

It is considered. It is there for a reason. 

Silence. Pauses. Rests. They all refer to the same thing. Space that is devoid of sound. 

Silence guides the listener, giving clarity to a specific instrument or voice. It can build layers, texture to create a moment of contrast or harmony. It can build tension, release tension, encourage a deeper emotional experience with what came before or what comes next.

Silence is manipulated and sculpted to give structure. 

Silence can be purposeful. 

It is one of the most important elements in music, as blank space is in design. 

So, what is this all to say? 

Well, without considering silence, music becomes unstructured ‘noise’. And without blank space design becomes overwhelmingly ‘chaotic’. 

If anything, the more elements on a page the more brain power we need to try to decipher what we are looking at. Sometimes we just need a little breathing space. Those gaps or strategically placed ‘blank spaces’ help move us from one spot to another without being overwhelmed. 

And it is much needed in my life today. As I imagine it is the same for a few of you. Some respite, from the constant stream of information entering our space and our minds. 

Let’s retrace my steps from yesterday. 

An alarm beeps at me. My first cue to look at a screen for the day. Between a shower and breakfast I read. A different kind of screen this time - one made of paper. On my walk to work I’m accompanied with a voice, played to stave off the sounds of birds, traffic and other commuters. Or if I’m being completely honest, to keep me entertained for the next 30 minutes. I begin the 9 hour work day, which consists almost entirely of more screen time and background music, joined by a smaller screen at lunch as the scrolling starts. My walk home looks very similar from the morning, except this time I’m tired with very little brain capacity to take in any more information, so I opt for music, which has lyrics. Lucky for me, leftovers await so I can just plonk myself down in front of the TV to relax, a few episodes in and it’s time for bed. Where I will finish the day off strong gazing at my phone screen to check the weather, my alarm, and any messages I may have missed in the past 5 minutes.

Anyone else's day look something like this? Granted you may have a few extra errands, or kids to hustle from place to place. But if you had to take a guess, when was the last time you did not fill the empty space with music, a podcast, a game, a tv show or movie, or even just that endless scroll through TikTok or Reddit?

When was the last time you also thought, your life was a breeze? Not exhausting at all… 

I’m guessing it's been a while. 

So while I am not here to tell you that screens are bad, etcetera, etcetera. This is a reminder that just like with a beautifully composed song, or an aesthetically designed kitchen, you too should be more considerate about the space in between. 

It’s time to be purposeful about where you can bring in some empty space. 

Space in between thoughts by Ananya (Instagram)

I’ll admit that I’m not the first to say, we've reached a stage where we amuse ourselves so much that we have left no room to think. But sometimes it’s nice to be reminded. Being productive and constantly ‘doing’ is not the only measure of success and life. Which we can dive into another day….

All this is to say, we don’t need to consume content, whether that’s audio or visual, in every spare moment of every day. 

Our brains are already working overtime, just taking in our immediate surroundings, which we more often than not like to layer and layer and layer upon. Forgetting that even we need to add in blank spots, empty space, to enable our brains and ourselves to navigate through life a little more smoothly (and I’d argue happily). 

We will be better for it, refocusing our energy on the next task or item instead of diving straight from one source of information to another. It’s time to begin aimlessly staring out the window again. 

So what does this empty space look like? I’m not about to tell you to become a yogi or meditate for an hour each day. Rather, start where you are comfortable and able to do so. Even better, include it in your normal routine. 

That walk to work? Consider doing it without plugging in. Even during that lunchtime break, remove your phone and talk to your co-workers or head outside for some fresh air (without added stimulation!). Or enjoy a meal with family or friends without the TV on in the background. The classic, put your phone somewhere you can’t easily access it 20 minutes before bed. And even, just maybe do some exercise without music. For some this might feel like torture, music being a main motivator for said exercise, but spend even just 5-10 minutes listening to your breathing and your rhythm as you lift weights or go for that run. You might be surprised by how calming it is. 

"The reason people get good ideas in the shower is because it's the only time during the day when most people are away from screens long enough to think clearly. The lesson is not to take more showers, but rather to make more time to think." ~ James Clear

Integrating these small moments of emptiness into your routine might just lead you to moments of better clarity, creativity and overall happiness.

Singing in the shower by Ananya (Instagram)

Some afterthoughts 📺

Ironically in the moments when I think I am overstimulated or filled to the brim with information and can not possibly take in any more, I opt for tv. When in reality tv can be anything but relaxing. Some studies for those who are interested, Does watching TV make us happy?, Television-viewing habits and sleep disturbance in school children.

I’m also totally guilty of scrolling my phone while watching tv, which one study suggests actually increases our cognitive load (more brain power needed) and reduces our comprehension of what we are watching. To be honest, this didn’t surprise me. Reminder to self, pick one or the other… if any at all.

Until next time,