I gave this experiment a go by doing the impossible – keeping my mouth shut. Being a more reserved person overall.

 

No, not just speaking at a lower voice level. I took a step beyond that. I didn’t open my mouth unless absolutely necessary. Spoiler alert: it sucked.

 

At first, it was easy. The transition from opening my mouth every seven seconds to answering questions with only grunts and head nods was a lot easier than expected. It was also a lot of fun observing other people, and how they acted around me.

 

To everyone else, it was just obscure for someone like me to keep to myself for such an extended period of time. I’m a naturally outspoken person. One who frantically pounces on any and every chance to tell a joke. That’s just my role as a person now. But when one passed my way and I kept my mouth shut, I got confused looks from all around.

 

“Are you okay?” said everyone. For some reason, my peers just assumed I was upset and would treat me differently. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. They would just watch what they said around me as not to be offensive. It was actually very entertaining. It’s also nice just listening to people talk.

 

You miss out on a lot of conversation when you’re a part of it. But when you shut your vocal chords off for a few days, your hearing is enhanced to the point of superhuman. You start to pick up on things you’ve never noticed before, whether it be the slightest hint of an accent, a feint lisp, or the scent of today’s lunch.

 

As time went on, it got progressively harder to keep the illusion up. So many missed opportunities to make an inappropriate joke. I’m ashamed to say that I did break character a few times. Sorry, but the “that’s what she said” jokes aren’t going to tell themselves.

 

The worst part is when you’re participating in an activity that requires verbal communication, such as basketball, praying, or anything competitive, really, because then you have to make the conscious decision of letting your team (or God) down with your absence of communication for the sake of an experiment. Have you ever tried to play Call of Duty without screaming at the top of your lungs, whether it be out of joy or frustration? Don’t. It’s tough.

 

Life at home wasn’t any easier. My parents aren’t getting any younger, and their hearing isn’t getting any better. With my voice at a volume of 20 dB, I would ask for breakfast and get a blanket in return. Answering the simplest of their questions, such as “What time is it?” would become a 20 minute endeavor because looking to the clock for their answer would be absolutely ludicrous. All in all, I’m glad I participated in this experiment. It made me approach situations differently, and that’s not a bad thing. Adapting is a useful life skill, and I got to practice it for a bit. I’m just glad I’m not in choir.