Welcome to my short series, 5 Things I’ve Learnt in 2025. This seems like a good point to reflect on the year and see what’s gone well, what’s gone wrong, and, most importantly, what I can look forward to in the future.

Here’s the third thing I learnt:

Silence is a superpower 

Sometimes when we communicate, we say too much. We over-explain. If a question is met with silence, there is often an answer in that silence. (Lifehack)

I’m not the most talkative person. I prefer to listen first and respond second. I learn and retain more information this way. In this digital world, noise surrounds us. We don’t take time to enjoy the silence. Silence isn’t just about sitting in a quiet room. It’s about choosing when to respond and learning when talking isn’t necessary. 

Biting my tongue was a key lesson I learnt at a young age. I was always saying what was on my mind, being blunt and direct. I discovered people don’t always appreciate that, and that it’s easy for people to misconstrue what I meant. 

Taking the time to sit with my thoughts in silence has made me a better communicator and more empathetic. It has also allowed me to listen to myself and work through things I may not be aware of. 

According to Psychology Today, silence can:

• Improve concentration
• Encourage creativity
• Improve self-awareness.
• Better learning
• Make us more productive
• Calm us down
• Help us have better relationships
• Relax the body

That is quite impressive (and it seemingly requires little effort). 

Using silence to deal with conflict

We’ve all been there. Somebody says something we don’t like, and our immediate instinct is to lash out. We say what comes to mind and bear the consequences later. I discovered this at an early age. I was upset with my friend, and at eight years old, I didn’t know how to express that. I made a rude comment instead, and despite my apology, the friendship was never the same. My words had consequences.

Fast forward to the present day, and I have had more recent experiences that have warranted my silence. From conflict with friends to a colleague who seemed to goad me, I have been exercising my right to remain silent, and it feels good! It’s not that I have nothing to say; I just don’t see how it would enhance these situations. 

To quote an old song, sometimes ‘you say it best when you say nothing at all’. 

Where silence is not the answer, I will refer back to my first lesson – it’s okay to stand up for yourself.

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

– Lao Tzu

All views expressed in this content are my own. This post is intended for personal wellbeing and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your mental health or wellbeing, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.

For further reading, check out these articles/resources:

• Why Being Comfortable with Silence Is a Superpower
• 5 Reasons Why Silence Is a Source of Great Strength