Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Get Motivated
• Method 2 of 4: Communicate Your Silence to Others
• Method 3 of 4: Meditate and Distract
• Method 4 of 4: Communicate in other ways
• Tips
• Warnings

A vow of silence, however temporary, is a pretty serious commitment. Whatever the reason, silence throughout the day can be both beneficial and challenging. If you take a vow of silence, be sure to get motivated and let others know. During the process, reflect, get distracted, and find different ways to communicate to get through the day successfully.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Get Motivated

1. 1 Get used to silence. If silence bothers you, then you cannot do it all day. Silence is not just silence, it can be comprehended in other ways, for example, not listening to music. Try to bring silence into your life (turn off the music for 5 minutes or meditate alone for 5 minutes). Find ways to feel comfortable sitting in silence and being silent. And if you can get comfortable with it, you may be able to enjoy it.
2. 2 Be silent to support any social movement. Often, a group of people makes a commitment to remain silent throughout the day in an attempt to defend those who have been “silenced” in some way, such as through domestic violence. If you choose to keep quiet to be of benefit or support to someone, you may be more motivated to hang on all day.
   • For example, GLSEN in the United States (an American nationwide organization made up of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people and their heterosexual friends) is organizing a day of silence to counter the bullying that has silenced many people in the LGBT community.
3. 3 Be silent to learn to listen. You may have noticed that you often say what is on your mind before listening to the other person. If you learn to listen first, there are many benefits.It will give you the edge in arguing, increase your ability to empathize with people, and more. Try to remain silent throughout the day to help you learn to listen before you speak.
4. 4 Be silent to learn to think things over. When faced with a problem, it is useful to first reflect in silence and only then act. This way, you can fully assess the situation and then take an intelligent, effective step. If you find yourself making illogical or reckless decisions, staying quiet throughout the day can help you think about the situation better.
5. 5 Make a commitment to be silent so you can feel calm. Trying to remain silent for a period of time will help you find a sense of calm and clarity. If you find yourself easily upset, annoyed, or anxious, you can take a day of silence to find a more peaceful outlook.

Method 2 of 4: Communicate Your Silence to Others

1. 1 Warn in advance those with whom you regularly communicate. Let your friends, family, teachers, or coworkers know about your day of silence a couple of days before the event. This will prevent misunderstanding on their part and disappointment on your part, and also make life easier for you during this period.
2. 2 Get permission from your teacher or supervisor ahead of time. A vow of silence can prevent you from participating in class or doing your job properly. Talk to your teacher or supervisor ahead of time about your vow of silence and ask if they mind. Try to think over an algorithm of actions in order to remain a productive student or employee on this day.
   • Seriously reconsider your decision if your teacher or boss disapproves. Finding another way to express support or gain peace of mind is not as scary as losing your job or getting an unsatisfactory grade.
3. 3 Distribute flyers or hang posters. If you remain silent in support of something, it may be a good idea to spread the word ahead of time. Hang up posters and / or hand out flyers at school or at the workplace, indicating the date, reason, and reasons for your silence.
4. 4 Dress according to the occasion. You can buy visual items, such as T-shirts, stickers, badges, and other items, and wear them on the day of your silence. This will help people understand why you are not speaking.

Method 3 of 4: Meditate and Distract

1. 1 Practice speechless meditation. Meditation is a productive activity that you can do when you remain silent. While not all types of meditation require silence, there are options. Silent meditation techniques can help you reflect on yourself, clear your head, and pass the time.
   • Try taking slow, deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and focus only on how the air enters and leaves your lungs.
   • Sit down with your legs crossed and close your eyes. Imagine an empty bowl on the ground in front of you. When a thought comes to you, put it in the bowl, empty the bowl, and then put it back in front of you.
2. 2 Keep a diary. If you feel that you cannot express your emotions properly because of silence, you can write down your thoughts in a journal. This will help you to pour out your feelings, and it will also help you become more aware and responsible.
   • Recognize the urge to break the silence. Whenever you feel that you can barely contain yourself not to speak, note this moment and analyze in a journal the reason for this desire. Perhaps this will help you learn a lot about yourself.
3. 3 Read a book. Reading can give you food for thought beyond your own thoughts. If you feel like you can't be silent all day, take one of your favorite novels and read a few chapters to change your mind.
4. 4 Listen to music. If you are very fond of music, listening to it can distract you from your silence.Put on your headphones and turn off a few of your favorite songs so you don't have the urge to speak.

Method 4 of 4: Communicate in other ways

1. 1 Carry a notebook and pen with you. Keep a pen and a sheaf of notes or a small notepad with you at all times when you remain silent throughout the day. With their help, you can quickly place an order in a cafe or remind your teacher of your vow of silence. This will facilitate minimal and simple communication.
2. 2 Use SMS or online messengers. Send emails or use social media to discuss issues with friends, family, teachers, or colleagues. This is an easy way to convey complex or extensive information to other people without speaking.
3. 3 Use facial expressions and gestures. If you are good at acting or playing charades, you can use gestures to communicate your point of view to the person. In fact, you can even have small dialogues using certain facial expressions.
   • For example, you can lift your thumb up to answer "yes" and move your thumb down to answer "no" throughout the day.
   • Try to think of hand gestures for basic things you might need during the day, such as asking permission to use the toilet. Demonstrate these gestures to teachers or your boss in advance so as not to create confusion on the day of silence.
4. 4 Communicate with open or closed body language. People communicate more with body language than words. During your vow of silence, focus on displaying open or closed body language to tell people if you want them to be around you or not.
   • If your friend sits next to you in class, make eye contact with him and smile - this will show that you are happy that he is there.
   • If someone sticks to you and tries to get you to speak, cross your arms and do not look at this person - this will show that you do not intend to interact with him.

Tips

• Try writing the word "silence" on your wrist and then applying it to your mouth when someone speaks to you.
• Write on the didactic card that you are keeping a vow of silence and show it to people when they ask you questions.

Warnings

• You may need to break your vow of silence if circumstances warrant it or if an emergency arises. No vow of silence is worth keeping at the cost of your own well-being or the well-being of others.
• If you don't tell other people that you have planned to spend this day in silence, they may be offended by your refusal to speak. It's important to let others know that you don't boycott them.