Learning to Like the Quiet Parts of Life

By Monica Chang

It’s okay if your life doesn’t feel like a highlight reel right now. As a recent grad, I sometimes feel like I should always have plans, events, or something major in my near future to look forward to. But I’m slowly reminding myself that life isn’t actually about the big moments – sometimes it’s all about slowing down, sipping your coffee in peace, or sitting down and enjoying watching the sunset without feeling like you need to be somewhere else. Learning to like the quiet parts of life is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when you’re used to the chaos of your college era, but it’s also where you might find the most happiness. 

When life slows down out of nowhere, it can feel uncomfortable at first. If you’re anything like me, you hold yourself to impossibly high standards and are always looking for the next thing to book or plan to look forward to. When things get quiet, you start to question if you’re doing enough – if you should be traveling more, working harder, going out every weekend, or constantly reinventing yourself. When you feel your mind start asking questions like this, it’s important to remind yourself that these quiet seasons are just as needed as the busy ones. 

It gets even harder when you open your phone and see everyone posting trips, events, or new opportunities. The FOMO hits and you start to wonder why you aren’t doing the same. But the truth is, no one’s life is constantly exciting and it’s so easy for social media to make us think we need to always be in “go, go, go” mode. 

The trick is to stop fighting the quiet and actually lean into it. Let yourself enjoy the little things and slow moments without feeling unnecessary guilt that you aren’t “grinding” or doing something with purpose. Think of a calm morning or night routine, a walk with no actual destination, or a book that pulls you in and makes the world around you stop. These slower moments are what can help you reset, reflect, and honestly, make you appreciate the chaos when life picks back up again. Slowing down does not mean you’re falling behind, not being productive, or not living your best life. It just means you’re giving yourself the space to breathe, grow, and be present in your own timeline.