Mute

For the past six days, I have had a cold that includes coughing, soreness, and headaches. For the past four days, I have been unable to speak above a whisper, and only then very slowly and not too long. Though I have been at home most of the time, it has been a slight inconvenience.

Hand signals and large gestures have certainly been useful. (I still need a way to indicate that I can't talk.) Asking people for things hurts my throat too much, so I found myself getting up to do it myself. Spurious communications such as "OK" or "Thank you" have been mostly eliminated, damaging politeness but saving information density and my throat.

In public places, I haven't spoken up very much at all. Doing so would probably produce a discussion, and I can't handle that. Instead, I've just listened to the speaker and probably understood more of the message than those busy formulating their next response. I reacted with appropriate nonverbals, of course, but not having to do anything in a conversation is really relaxing.

This entire experience has made me realize that I really don't have to say much to do life. Of course, school is pretty important and recommends communication, but there are always notebooks and computers. I think this whole ordeal has had a positive aspect, despite the headaches and coughs.

Maybe I'll visit a monastery and take a vow of silence.