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Do you like silence?

(132 Posts)
Stillness Wed 13-Aug-25 10:55:31

I was just wondering how many of you do things with no background noise simultaneously? So perhaps crafts, or cooking, or housework etc…with no radio, music or tv …or anything else going on.
When I was younger, there wasn’t much silence, with family and a busy life etc. Now, there could easily be, but in an odd way, I really want it and yet I’m frightened of it. I do live a quietish life but I think I’m worried that if I get used to it, the external world will eventually become too much, leading to me being intolerant of any noise at all…if that makes sense..

Shelflife Thu 14-Aug-25 19:19:02

GrannyGravy, like you I love silence .My DH has tv on most of the day ! Fortunately I have space to escape. What really irritates me is most of
the time he is' nt watching - he is on his iPad! He leaves the room and
doesn't turn the TV down or off.
In his defence his Alzheimers makes it difficult fof him to remember!
There are times when need to take a few deep breaths!!

valdavi Thu 14-Aug-25 19:17:18

Silence is my natural world, as with my hearing loss I don't hear any sounds without hearing aids. And I'm not recommended to have a cochlear implant as when I have aids in, my speech perception is "good". (It's not, but relative to other people with my level of hearing loss it must be).
I don't usually have music / radio on as it takes so much of my concentration to follow it, it's too tiring & bluetooth isn't always reliable or easy to use, although wonderful when working. The silence doesn't bother me, unless I go out when I do feel threatened, so I won't leave the house without my aids in & working.

silverlining48 Thu 14-Aug-25 19:05:24

Me too, yes it’s horrid

rocketstop Thu 14-Aug-25 19:04:38

Jaxjacky

The only reason I don’t like silence is because it highlights my tinnitus, so the radio is usually on in the background.

Me too, horrid isn't it?

adrisco Thu 14-Aug-25 18:18:00

I love it. My late husband used to whinge about my love of silence and took it as a an affront that I didn't want to talk. Now I can do as I like. I love silence!!!

LaCrepescule Thu 14-Aug-25 18:15:33

Gosh yes, love silence. No background noise during the day but I like dance music to get me up in the morning and ambient to get me to sleep at night. And music in the car of course 😊

Leavesden Thu 14-Aug-25 18:01:49

I would love to enjoy silence, but I like so many people on here suffer tinnitus so have the radio on all day when it’s really loud I put headphones in and listen to a babbling brook.

watermeadow Thu 14-Aug-25 17:59:56

I used to have the radio on for much of the day but there’s less and less that I want to hear on Radios 3 and 4.
I like silence if I’m concentrating on anything. I don’t wear my hearing aids except when out because I don’t want to hear the fridge, washing machine, distant traffic, I prefer silence.

Romola Thu 14-Aug-25 17:57:05

It all depends. Right now I've just got home from London and am enjoying silence.
But I do like to have the radio on when I'm cooking or sewing.

Mollygo Thu 14-Aug-25 17:25:05

I like silence. This year’s gîte is amazing for that. The only noise I’d the morning wood pigeon telling me he can’t stop cooing. Then the heat silences him.

Retired65 Thu 14-Aug-25 16:46:13

I should have added that I hate shopping in supermarkets that have music playing in the background.

Retired65 Thu 14-Aug-25 16:44:29

I love silence, I do not have anything on while I am cooking or doing the vaccum cleaning etc.

farview Thu 14-Aug-25 16:43:31

missdeke you can find Bushland dreaming on YouTube

MrsMatt Thu 14-Aug-25 16:30:27

Jaxjacky

The only reason I don’t like silence is because it highlights my tinnitus, so the radio is usually on in the background.

Same here. There is always something on in the background, although I used to love the silence. Now I can only wish.

Flutterby345 Thu 14-Aug-25 16:22:40

I like my early morning walk with no.hearing aids.

Sleepyhead52 Thu 14-Aug-25 15:56:21

Does that help with anxiety?

missdeke Thu 14-Aug-25 15:49:53

Many years ago wgilst in Australia I bought a tape called Bushland Dreaming, probably the most relaxing music I ever heard, wish I still had it.

Beeb Thu 14-Aug-25 15:49:41

I love silence. In the office the majority find working in silence very stressful so the radio is on. I don’t have the knack of switching off from background noises so if I’m concentrating on work or a craft I need peace and quiet. Luckily I mostly work from home. I don’t mind the usual background sounds of weather or birds and if painting a wall I’ll enjoy music to keep me going.

chrissie13 Thu 14-Aug-25 15:44:13

I have problems with concentration, so need silence when I have to concentrate on something, which is most of the time. I like a bit of music if just relaxing.

sazz1 Thu 14-Aug-25 15:37:57

No I hate silence as I was brought up with my granny and she rarely spoke, no TV and radio only rarely on. Now I have the TV on all day until I go to bed

Dreadwitch Thu 14-Aug-25 15:25:29

I love silence and solitude. I listen to background music most days but when I'm alone I tend to enjoy silence more.

Dizzyribs Thu 14-Aug-25 15:18:35

I love silence. I rarely choose music or tv or radio when alone and always switch off the noise my DH leaves on when he goes out. I’d switch it off when he goes out of the room if it didn’t get him annoyed.

Wendy Thu 14-Aug-25 15:15:05

When I was in the house alone, I would have Radio 4 on all the time, listening to plays and different programs. Then my husband retired from a busy office with phones ringing all day. He wanted quiet so now we have Classic FM Calm on in the background and we talk to each other. 😁

Maremia Thu 14-Aug-25 15:05:55

jocork shock
Mostly prefer silence, as in don't play music or listen to the television, when I'm busy. Everywhere has its own 'audio', and can't think of a time when I was in absolute silence.

FranP Thu 14-Aug-25 14:57:41

I love it. Hubby puts the TV on from morning to night! Lots of close neighbours, and while I love the sound of children playing, I do appreciate the odd silent spell.
I am just about to murder a fly who is spoiling that just now <lol>