The world today feels deeply polarized. We are encouraged to pick sides, defend beliefs, and prove correctness. In a world that is increasingly loud, silence is often misunderstood. It is mistaken for indifference, confusion, or even disengagement. But silence can also be a conscious choice... a form of respect for complexity. Not every thought needs articulation, and not every difference needs resolution. Some things ask only to be held, not solved.
These days even the environment feels unsettled, air is often difficult to breathe (I live in Delhi NCR :)) , making the idea of pause almost literal... But sab chalta hai.. kya rukta hai. Staying aware mattered, but so did knowing when to step back, to protect one’s inner balance from being shaped entirely by the noise outside.
This year has gently taught me that allowing silence is not about withdrawal, but about depth. It is in these quiet pauses that empathy grows and perspective settles. When we stop rushing to respond, we begin to listen, not just to others, but to ourselves.
I realized that this year I read and wrote more than any other year. Books became quiet companions, and the act of writing allowed me to pause, process, and understand myself and the world around me.
As I step into a new year, my intention is simple. To carry forward this ability to pause. To listen more than react. To allow space for differing truths without feeling the need to conquer them. If the world continues to grow louder and more divided, may I respond by deepening my presence. And if I cannot be present in that polarized world, may I be able to step into the world of my books or my inner world.
Ending the year with a little more quiet.
