The Luxury of Silence and Solitude

Most people assume I'm an extremely social person. In fact, someone I had dinner with recently told me they thought I had more friends than anyone they'd ever met. While that isn't actually true, I did take it as a compliment. I know how to build meaningful relationships, stay connected, and nurture genuine connections. It's one of the gifts I've developed over the years.

Yes, I know a lot of people. Through my career, volunteering, and the organizations I've been part of, I've built connections that span decades. But when it comes to my closest friends - the people I know will always be there - I can count them on one hand... maybe one hand and a couple more fingers. I've known a few of them literally since I was born.

What many people don't realize is that I also genuinely love solitude.

As I write this, I'm sitting alone on the waterfront enjoying dinner, and honestly, I wouldn't choose to spend this moment with anyone else.

Because there's something powerful about silence and solitude.

It's in those quiet spaces that we have room to reflect, to savour the moment, to notice what's happening beneath the surface, and to allow creativity to emerge. It's amazing what can find us between the bites and the breaths when we're no longer distracted by the noise.

Perhaps silence feels like a luxury. But it's a luxury available to all of us.

It might be in the few quiet moments under the shower, before your feet hit the floor in the morning, while walking the dog, driving without the radio on, or just before your head settles onto the pillow at night.

Don't rush to fill every empty space.

Don't underestimate the value of silence or wish it away.

Sometimes the answers we're searching for don't arrive through doing more or talking more. They arrive when we become quiet enough to listen.

Really listen.

Because purpose rarely shouts. More often, it whispers in the quiet.

Warmly,

Tamara

P.S. When was the last time you intentionally spent even ten quiet minutes with no agenda, no phone, and no distractions? You might be surprised by what you hear.