Embrace the Awkward Silence

Conversational lulls may be harder to avoid than ever — so we might as well get used to them.

Kashif Hanif
3 min readMay 10, 2023
Photo by Mister Mister from pexels

Embrace the Awkward Silence: Why Being Comfortable with Silence is a Powerful Skill

Have you ever been in a conversation where there is an awkward silence? It can be uncomfortable, and many of us try to fill the silence with small talk or other meaningless chatter. However, what if I told you that embracing the awkward silence is actually a powerful skill?

Silence can be uncomfortable. We’ve been conditioned to believe that it’s better to fill the space with words, laughter, or even a yawn. But there’s something to be said about the beauty of silence. Embracing the awkward silence can lead to more meaningful conversations and deeper connections with others.

Why do we fear silence?

Silence can be awkward because we don’t know what to do with ourselves. It’s as if we’re afraid to be alone with our thoughts or that we’ll be judged for not being interesting enough. Society has taught us that being social and outgoing is preferable to being quiet and introspective.

Here are some reasons why embracing the awkward silence is a powerful skill:

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Kashif Hanif

My name is Kashif Hanif. I am a student of Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. I observed things nearly and here on medium I share my thoughts and ideas.