I notice it regularly during my walks outside. Whether people are stepping out for small, routine purchases or heading to the gym, many of them are scrolling on their phones or listening to something through their headphones. Even while walking, they seem barely aware of the moment. There are no conversations, no impatience, just silent screens. That is when the pattern becomes clear.
Silence scares us more than noise.
In today’s world, many people are afraid to spend time with themselves. When there is no distraction, negative thoughts about life tend to surface. This fear is shaped by constant pressure from a competitive environment, whether it comes from work, family expectations, or endless comparisons with others on Instagram and YouTube.
As a result, we often see people who are alone while waiting in queues, walking on the street, running small errands, or heading to the gym, choosing to plug in their headphones or remain glued to their mobile screens.
I am also still doing the same thing. Not because something important is playing on my phone, but because I try to avoid my random thoughts. These thoughts usually make me worry about my present state of life, and that discomfort pushes me toward the screen.
People like me want to escape this uneasy feeling. So whenever we are idle, even for a short moment, we instinctively reach for our phones.
Ironically, the very thoughts we try to escape are often the ones that give us honest, self critical feedback. They make us pause, reflect, and grow.
It is in these quiet moments that we learn patience and perseverance.
This is why yoga teachers and mindfulness practitioners encourage us to observe our thoughts during meditation instead of running away from them.
By constantly watching or listening to our phones, we deprive ourselves of the chance to hear our inner voice, our consciousness.
Maybe the silence we are avoiding is not the enemy. Maybe it is quietly waiting to teach us something.