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HushFest is on the horizon. Cornwall’s festival of quietness, shaped by our community. |
People often arrive at a Quiet Connections Meet Up carrying a word they’ve been given about themselves. Shy. Introverted. Anxious. Sensitive. Sometimes all four at once, as though they are the same thing, or as though one explains the others. They are not the same thing. Understanding the differences matters, not just for the sake…
Many of us grow up believing that connection and closeness is created through talking, quick replies and confident story-telling. For some of us, that takes significant effort – especially with new people. Recently, eleven Quieteers met at Locked In Escape Rooms in Camborne. We split into two groups. I was in The Smokehouse Curse. The others…
Quietness is often treated as something fixed and defining. You are labelled early on, sometimes gently, sometimes carelessly. The quiet one. The shy one. The observer. The person who hangs back. Alongside those labels sits a familiar set of comparisons. Quiet or chatty. Introverted or outgoing. Confident or reserved. Visible or overlooked. For many people…
For many people, Christmas is painted as a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But for quiet people, it can also feel exhausting or overwhelming. Busy shops and town centres filled with loud music. A constant stream of emails, adverts, and social media posts suggesting what you should be doing, buying, or feeling. Add in…
There are moments in every relationship, friendship or community when something needs to be expressed. Something feels off, or heavy, or important. And for many of us who move quietly through the world, speaking into these moments can feel complicated. We want to be kind. We want to avoid hurting anyone. We care about the…
The shift into autumn is always noticeable. The mornings feel cooler, the evenings draw in, and the light changes in a way that makes everything look softer. Some people find this time of year comforting, with the thought of cosy evenings, warm drinks, and time indoors. For others, it can feel heavy or uncertain, stirring…
Sitting quietly alongside someone else can feel surprisingly comforting. You don’t need to talk or do anything special. Just sharing the same space, each person in their own little world, can bring a sense of ease. For those of us who are naturally quieter, this kind of togetherness often feels more genuine than busy socialising….
Thinking. I do this activity a lot; in fact I think most of us do. Why? As humans we like to think about the smallest of details. Dear reader, I find myself getting stuck in a tangle of thoughts, and I’m wondering if this is just a me problem or a you problem too?. With…
Have you ever felt like you were the only person in the world who thinks the way you do? Like everyone else was given a guidebook for how to exist – how to talk, how to connect, how to just be – and somehow yours got lost in the post? There’s a particular kind of…
Sometimes, in relationships—whether friendships, family, work, or dating—something doesn’t sit right. Someone cancels plans last minute without apology. A friend jokes at your expense in a way that feels uncomfortable. A colleague constantly interrupts you in meetings. When you express discomfort, the response might be: “That’s just how people are.” “Everyone does it.” “You’re overthinking…
Sometimes, a new connection arrives unexpectedly – a friendship or relationship that feels suddenly deep and full of promise. You find yourself sharing parts of yourself sooner than usual, feeling seen and important in someone else’s world. There’s warmth, attentiveness, maybe even a sense of consistency and care that feels grounding. It might feel like…
We long for gentle relationships. To feel safe and seen with others, and to offer that same safety in return. Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or a colleague, we hope for connection that feels kind, consistent, and nourishing. But even when that desire is strong, we might still find ourselves showing up in a…