Do you allow yourself the opportunity to turn down the volume and just be in a quiet state? Or have you grown accustomed to the background noise? Here are 5 ordinary places to find a moment of quiet time alone.

By Erin O’Connor

1. Visiting a bookstore

Some of my fondest childhood memories were spent cosied up in little nooks and crannies in bookstores, burying my nose in one book or another. I was never the fastest reader, and nor did I read as much as others, but what I’ve come to realise is that bookshops have a way of making me feel incredibly calm. It might be the smell of paper, or the soft carpeted floors that a lot of them have. It might even be the friendly faces of the people that work there (they all seem to be so passionate about the books surrounding them!) 

Bookshops may be an ideal space for you to discover calm too - they tend to be fairly quiet anyway. Even better, try to find a little nook at the back, and enjoy picking up a book and read in peace. 

2. Eating alone

Eating alone used to be something that would fill me with deep anxiety. I used to have the perception that eating alone meant you couldn’t find anyone who wanted to sit with you, or that somehow you were lonely. I now know this couldn’t be further from the truth, and actually eating alone can be one of the most satisfying things to do. 

While I recognise the importance of meals being shared with others, there is a lot to say for taking the time to enjoy food by yourself too. It is without a doubt a different experience, but it can be so peaceful to just focus on the food you’re eating and not have to worry about social engagement. 

I have come to really enjoy eating by myself - not only does it give me time to digest (pun intended) what has come before that meal, but it also means I can switch off for a little bit and recharge. Try it, take yourself off to lunch and allow yourself to focus on the sights, sounds and tastes - you might discover something you may not have had you been with company. 

3. Walking in the park 

The benefits of walking in nature have been well documented, so it would be futile for me to list them all here. However one thing I’ve noticed, particularly over lockdown, is that people are going for walks in the park or by the canals but they’re still plugged into their phones. While I agree having your phone with you on a walk is a measure of comfort and safety, try going for a walk and keeping it in your pocket. Instead of flicking between songs or Instagram posts, let yourself just wander around and take in the surroundings. Notice how you’re not focused on a particular destination, but rather just simply observing what’s around you. It’s like meditation in motion. 

4. Wandering through a museum 

This may be trickier in current times, but galleries and museums are wonderful spaces for calm and quiet. It’s funny, though, because we tend to visit them in groups where there’s a lot of chatter. Something that is really great to do is pick a museum or gallery, and choose one section of it and spend some quality time there. Observe a few paintings or artifacts and really study their nuances or histories. I think sometimes when we go to these places, we try to take it all in at once. So much so that when we leave, we may have forgotten what we even saw. 

The benefit of going alone is not only do you get some quiet time, but you also get to meander at your own pace and see what you want to see. 

5. Escaping to the bathroom 

Less cultured than admiring a beautiful Hockney painting in a pristine gallery, but wonderful all the same, bathrooms can be excellent spaces to find quiet.  If you need a moment of quiet to yourself, this is a place you are unlikely to be disturbed. Depending where you are, there might be a nice candle or two burning in there which can only add to the calming atmosphere. 

If you’re at home and need some peace away from your work, try to slow down your usual routine, by simply washing your face whilst paying attention to the textures and scents as you go. Where do you find your moments of quiet?

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