Silent Challenge

Have you ever tried being quiet for a while? I don't mean being quiet while you take a nature walk or being quiet when listening to a speaker/lecturer. I mean being quiet while going about your routine activities. It's not easy, but you can learn a lot in the time you are being quiet. Obviously, we were given a voice for a reason, but that doesn't mean we have to use it constantly, sometimes we have to be quiet, so we can hear and learn. This is not a take on a no-talking for the rest of your life challenge, it is a challenge for you to be quiet and be aware of what is going on around you. Some things you will notice more, when you are being quiet, not talking.

you can't gossip, it's wrong ya know

Here are the rules:

-Let people around you know that you've taken on the silent challenge, it is not necessary for them to also take on the silent challenge.

-Set yourself a time limit to be quiet for, 15 minutes is too short, I think even an hour is too short, but you get too choose. Maximum amount of time is a 1.5 days.

-If you wake up and forget you're doing the challenge, you have not failed, one slip-up is okay

-If you need to run errands or have dealings with other people, then obviously the silent challenge is not kept. (I think you will learn the most, if you do this on a day, when other immediate family members are around and you will not be having interactions with extended family, friends, or others.)

- You may nod yes or no to questions (In the beginning I was being so silent, I didn't realize it would be okay if I did this.)

-People may insult you or tempt you to give up the challenge, you may not answer them or give up before the time you set. Don't answer them back even after the silent challenge is over.

-Thank You can be said with a nod of the head, or putting your hands together and giving a slight bow, or whatever gesture you come up with.

-If you know sign language, don't sign. You may however make up other gestures to convey what you want to say.

-Try to use gestures only when absolutely needed.

-Respond only when absolutely necessary

-You can write down what you want to say (but try not to), writing down gossip is not considered necessary and is not allowed

-If you are getting frustrated, or upset, please write down what you want to say

-Do not tell anyone what benefits you gain what you learned or why you are doing this during the silent challenge. Afterwards you can tell whoever you want.

-This is not really a rule, but obviously don't decide to do the silent challenge when you are sleeping or will need to talk to other people.

*In an emergency, break the silent challenge.

These are the basic rules, obviously you can adapt them to suit you. I believe that these rules will allow you to learn the most from your experience.

I hope you try this challenge and share your stories with me. Maybe we'll even have some inspiring stories to share as an outcome of this challenge.

If you have a blog, you can grab the silent challenge button from the side.