ANDRE BEGIN

Not too long ago, I took my notebook computer and headphones to the library, just for a change of scenery for a writing session. Even though there were only a handful of people, mid-morning, mid-week, in our small-town library, a couple of neighbouring voices were probably verging on triple-digit decibel values. Whatever happened to libraries being places where quiet spaces were a given?

Similarly, what happened to nice, quiet, sit-down restaurants? Lately, it seems like the standard is concrete floors, hard furniture and cavernous interiors where sound bounces and amplifies. How I miss the days of soft, padded booths, carpeted floors and tropical plants everywhere to absorb ambient noise, leading to a more mellow dining experience.

And whatever happened to “Excuse me, I need to take this call” and to sequester oneself in a quiet place to have a private conversation? I don’t know when the etiquette changed and that, we suddenly became privy to everyone’s conversations, broadcast at the highest volume through phone speakers.

When situations like that happen, and my ears feel like they are under attack, I start to wonder if I have become more sensitive to noise or if the world has gotten louder.

Is it because after living in the country for six years, my “new normal” for ambient volume is quieter than it was in the city? Am I just out of practice when it comes to dealing with noise?

Is it because, as a full-time writer, I am alone with my thoughts more, either in silence or with mellow instrumental music in the background, making the contrast even stronger and more noticeable?

Is it because, in retirement from my career, I am no longer acclimatized to the ambient noise of a busy office?

Thankfully, I have solutions.

Noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs have filtered out just enough of the world’s ruckus that I have been able to start riding a brainwave and get so focused that remaining ambient noises drop off my radar altogether.

Haven’t we all experienced situations where we become so focused on something that we lose track of what’s going on around us? Maybe that’s the sweet spot we’re looking for.

I figure it is a matter of plowing through, staying focused, and not letting myself be bothered by it. I realize it’s sometimes easier said than done when certain noises, voices or vibrations can be unexpected and relentless. It becomes a matter of training myself to just let the noise waft over me without getting annoyed by it.

The annoyance itself can amplify the distraction it creates if I allow my mind to ruminate about it, rather than just letting it happen, realizing that it’s temporary and that good ideas can continue to find me if I just keep my focus on the task at hand, rather than my environment.

I’ve recently tried working with regular music in the background (i.e., not specifically instrumentals) and, to my surprise, I’m still able to concentrate. In fact, the writing vibe feels different. It’s still strong, productive and focused, but maybe a little less perfectionist… definitely something to keep trying to see what happens.

Either way, whether I am just out of practice or the world is, in fact, a noisier place, I am grateful that I have been successful in finding ways to set the right conditions for writing and sometimes, to work through the noise, while still crafting great stories for you, my readers.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André