The Psychology of Silence Getting your peace back

 

Please hit subscribe and leave a 5-Star review.

Click here to see my book. From zero to podcaster. 

https://a.co/d/4YV1kOK

Click here for the 14-Day morning Affirmation Transformation.

https://a.co/d/cScu1Nd

Click here to go to my Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076311491473

Click here to save on high-end clothing.

https://poshmark.com/closet/happie22

 

Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into something a little different—something we often overlook because we’re so busy, so plugged in, and so surrounded by noise.

The topic is silence.

Now, when I say silence, I don’t just mean the absence of sound. I mean the presence of quiet moments where we can hear ourselves think, moments where creativity can bloom, and moments where our intuition and resilience can actually strengthen.

Think about it: Some of the greatest minds in history used silence as part of their creative process. Einstein took long walks alone. Beethoven was known for retreating into quiet to hear the music in his head. Even today, leaders, artists, and innovators deliberately carve out space for silence.

In this episode, we’re going to explore three big ways silence shapes us:

1.         How it boosts creativity

2.         How it awakens intuition

3.         And how it builds emotional resilience

And along the way, I’ll share some stories, science, and a few practical ways you can invite silence into your life.

So, let’s step into the quiet together.

________________________________________

Part 1: Silence & Creativity

Here’s the truth: our brains were not designed for constant stimulation.

We live in a world where the moment we wake up, we grab our phone, scroll social media, and fill our head with noise. The problem is, creativity doesn’t thrive in chaos. It thrives in the gaps.

Neuroscience shows that when we give ourselves silence, the brain slips into what’s called the default mode network. That’s a fancy term for the state where our mind wanders, connects ideas, and solves problems we couldn’t figure out when we were actively “thinking.”

Think about when your best ideas come. Is it when you’re in front of a spreadsheet? Or when you’re driving in silence, taking a shower, or walking alone? That’s silence doing its work.

Take writers, for example. Maya Angelou would rent a hotel room—no distractions—just her, a notebook, and silence. She said it allowed her to listen to the words forming inside.

Or inventors like Nikola Tesla, who would sit in complete silence, visualizing his inventions in his mind before ever touching a piece of metal.

Practical tip: Here’s something you can try today. Instead of filling every gap with music, podcasts, or TV—pick one small window of silence. Maybe it’s ten minutes in the morning. Maybe it’s your commute without the radio. See what ideas surface.

I remember a time when I was completely stuck on a project. I kept pushing, forcing the ideas, and nothing was coming. So, I shut everything off and went for a walk. By the end of that walk, I had the breakthrough I needed—and it wasn’t because I was working harder. It was because I gave silence space to do its job.

________________________________________

Part 2: Silence & Intuition

Now, let’s talk about intuition—that inner voice we often ignore.

We all have it. But here’s the problem: we drown it out with constant input. News alerts, texts, conversations, music, podcasts—there’s no room for the inner voice to speak.

Psychologists say intuition is really the brain processing patterns faster than our conscious mind can. It’s like a supercomputer running in the background. But to access it, we need quiet.

Many traditions across cultures understood this. Native Americans practiced vision quests—going into silence in nature to receive guidance. Monks use silence in prayer and meditation to connect with deeper wisdom. Even athletes use visualization in silence to prepare mentally for big moments.

Practical exercise: Try this—before making a big decision, sit in silence for five minutes. Ask yourself the question. Don’t overthink it. Just sit. Then, notice the first thought, feeling, or image that comes. That’s often your intuition.

I can tell you from personal experience—there have been moments when I ignored my intuition because I was too distracted, and I regretted it. And there were other times, when I gave myself that quiet pause, that I felt guided in the right direction. Silence is the doorway to that inner knowing.

________________________________________

Part 3: Silence & Emotional Resilience

The third benefit of silence is emotional resilience.

Life is loud—not just physically, but emotionally. We carry stress, we get overwhelmed, and our emotions pile up. Without moments of silence, we don’t process them.

Studies show that silence can lower cortisol levels—the stress hormone. It can slow down the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and create space between stimulus and response. That means, when something stressful happens, you’re less reactive and more resilient.

Think about arguments. If you can step into silence—even for a few minutes—you can respond instead of react. That’s resilience.

Silence has also been used as a form of healing. Veterans struggling with PTSD, for example, often benefit from silent meditation or time in quiet nature. It doesn’t erase pain, but it gives the nervous system a chance to reset.

Practical strategy: Try starting your day with five minutes of silence—no phone, no TV, no distractions. Just sit with your breath. Or, try ending your day with silence before bed. It’s like hitting a reset button for your mind and emotions.

The more we practice silence, the more resilient we become. Instead of being thrown off by life’s noise, we find a still point inside ourselves that doesn’t shake as easily.

________________________________________

Wrap-Up & Call to Action

So, let’s recap.

Silence shapes us in three powerful ways:

•          It fuels creativity by letting ideas connect in the quiet.

•          It strengthens intuition by allowing us to hear our inner voice.

•          And it builds emotional resilience by calming our nervous system and giving us space to reset.

Here’s my challenge for you: Today, carve out five minutes of silence. No distractions, no devices. Just be. See what comes up. You might be surprised at what you discover.

And if you try this, I’d love to hear about your experience. Reach out, share your story—because silence, while personal, is something we can all learn from together.

Thank you for joining me today. If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who might need a little quieter in their life.

Until next time, take a breath… embrace the silence… and let it shape you.

 

The Year of Profit podcast, hosted by Joe Shortridge, is your go-to resource for transforming every aspect of your life. As a seasoned life and financial coach, Joe brings a unique blend of personal development and financial wisdom to each episode. This podcast is designed for anyone looking to improve their mindset, boost productivity, manage stress, and achieve financial success. Whether you're striving to overcome personal challenges, build better habits, or enhance your financial literacy, The Year of Profit offers actionable strategies to help you reach your goals.

Joe’s expert advice covers a wide range of topics, from mental wellness and time management to wealth-building techniques and entrepreneurial mindset. Each episode provides listeners with practical steps they can immediately apply to their daily lives, leading to long-term growth and fulfillment. Through relatable stories and proven strategies, Joe empowers you to take control of your life, create positive change, and maximize your potential.

If you're ready to take your life to the next level and start living with purpose, The Year of Profit podcast is the perfect place to begin. Tune in each week for new insights, motivation, and inspiration to start your journey toward lasting success and well-being.