By the title alone, I first thought it was about something like podcast addiction - listening to someone basically every waking hour. I feel like nobody (me included) can suffer silence anymore and it got even worse with remote work, when you are alone and can listen the whole time.
I recently split up with my girlfriend after 6 years. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming months of silence and time for myself, making it up for me to decide when to break the silence.
Well, I need some fundamental changes in my life - for one, I'll go out and get to know people. That'll be my toughest challenge, as I'd frame myself as an introvert, but also in dire need of social interaction from time to time. It's like I'm constantly swinging from "I need time alone!" to "I need the stage!". I fed that need in the past with my working environment, but I'm now aiming at a 100% remote position, exactly for that reason: Forcing me to get out and meet people.
In terms of long-term romantic relationships - well, I'll try to stay away from them until I consider the above to be "completed", somehow. And after that, I'll hopefully be confident enough to live my own life while in a relationship. This is something I wasn't able to do in the past.
Also, I'll stop worrying about what will happen in three years or whatever. Hopefully, I'll be able to revisit this comment in 2025, just to realize that I'm a happier man.
I'm sure that in a few years when you'll revisit your comment you'll be in a better place, even if not, you'll have different eyes and a different perspective, allowing you to understand much more then what's even visible to you now! There a reason people say time heals, not because it actually heals, but because it takes time to understand and to filter out the non-obvious stuff that may occupy your mind at the moment.
That being said, it's good to remember that no one knows anything and that everyone lives a completely different lifes.
I'd say it depends. "Silence" on a bus/train? No thank you, I prefer a podcast or music. In a shared office? I'd rather have some music. Going for a walk, reading, sports? Give me silence over music/podcasts
