I think that the idealized version of spending a day without talking
is that it would be seen as a form of extreme meditation: just me and
my thoughts for 24 hours. Over the course of this day I would get in
touch with my inner self and come out the next day as a slightly
better version of myself.
Spoiler alert: None of that actually happened. The lesson learned is
that I really enjoy talking. More importantly, if I went more than 24
hours without talking I'd most likely go crazy.
But I did it, and I suppose I should talk about that experience. I
knew that the best time to accomplish this goal would be when I was
away on business. That way Katie wouldn't have to suffer through a
day where we just stare at each other. Second, you have to be prepped
to do such a task. I bought a bunch of food so I wouldn't have to
talk to anyone to order. I informed Katie that we would not be having
our regularly nightly call.
And then I just settled into my hotel room for the day. There was
frozen pizza. There was March Madness. And there was a whole bunch of
quiet.
This was my view for almost the entire day (except when I forced
myself to go visit the hotel's gym where I crossed my fingers and
hoped that no one would come in and want to strike up a conversation
while working out on the treadmill next to me—which, thankfully,
never happened.)
I can now say that I have gone a full 24 hours without speaking a
single word out loud. This is bound to surprise nearly anyone who
knows me and is an experiment that I will gladly never repeat again
as long as I live.
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