In tech, we’re trained to move fast. Think fast.
Deploy faster. Ship sooner. Respond quicker.
But for many women in tech, there’s an additional layer beneath that pressure; the need to prove we belong. To show we’re capable. To keep up in a room where we might be the only woman present.
And so, we push.
Until the noise outside becomes the noise within.
But what if the most powerful thing we can do… is to go quiet?
What Quiet Really Means (And Why It’s Not Weakness)
I don’t mean “quietness”, that sounds like a temporary state, something that can be broken at any moment.
And I don’t mean “quiet” as a verb, like telling someone to hush.
When I speak of quiet, I mean a practice, a space you return to. A choice to be still in a world that demands constant motion.
Quiet is not passive. It’s not shrinking.
Quiet is active, grounded, and deeply creative.
It’s the moment we pause, not because we’ve run out of things to say, but because we’ve decided to listen more deeply.
In a world that rewards visibility, quiet is often misunderstood as laziness, disinterest, or even burnout. But for me, and for many women I know in tech, quiet is where we return to ourselves.
My Story, What I Found in the Quiet
Not long ago, I took a two-week break from posting here, Hey Tech Sisters, my blog dedicated to supporting women navigating careers in tech.
At first, I felt guilty.
“I should be writing. I should be productive. I should keep the momentum.”
But in that stillness, something else emerged.
I rested.
I reflected.
And slowly, creativity returned, not forced, but invited.
Out of that quiet space, I created something meaningful: a web app called The One Quiet Thing. I’ll share more about that in my next post. But what mattered most was this:
Quiet didn’t pull me away from purpose. It brought me back to it.
Why Quiet Is Especially Important for Women in Tech
1. We Carry More Than We Show
We’re often more than just engineers or analysts. We’re caretakers, mentors, partners, daughters. Quiet becomes a form of emotional and mental recovery.
2. We Need Deep Work, Not Just More Work
Women in tech often face micro-interruptions; being talked over in meetings, asked to take notes, or expected to explain technical decisions more. Quiet helps us shift from defense mode to creative mode.
3. Quiet Fosters Creativity and Courage
It was in silence, not during a sprint review or a requester call, that I dared to build something new. Not for KPIs. Not for LinkedIn likes. But for the part of me that still believes we can make tech a more humane place.
How to Make Space for Quiet in a Noisy Tech Life
Here are some ways to invite more quiet into your daily routine without quitting your job or going off-grid.
1. Block Quiet Hours
Set one hour a day for no meetings, no notifications, no multitasking. Make it sacred.
2. Journal for 5 Minutes
Write without judgment. Let your thoughts find structure through reflection.
Journaling doesn’t have to mean writing in a precious, leather-bound notebook. It can be as simple as opening your phone’s voice recorder, speaking your thoughts aloud, and letting your mind empty itself gently.
Sometimes, hearing your voice later on helps you see patterns you couldn’t notice in the moment. That’s still journaling. That’s still quiet.
3. Step Outside
Nature is quiet in its own way. Let it reset your nervous system. You can head to a nearby park, or even a cozy café. Sure, I could tell you to avoid crowded places, but honestly, the more you do this, the more you’ll learn to create a kind of internal quiet, even in the midst of noise.
It’s like magic.
I do this often. After work, I head to a coffee shop, order my favorite hot drink, and just sit there. No meetings. No pressure. Just me, my thoughts, and the low hum of life around me.
It’s as if I activate some kind of magical noise-cancellation shield, not from the sound, but from the noise that stresses me out.
Quiet doesn’t always mean silence. Sometimes, it’s a warm cup, a corner seat, and the decision to simply be.
4. Create Without Pressure
Start a small project just for you. Let it be joyful, not performative.
What Quiet Gives Us, And Helps Us Give to Others
In quiet, we don’t lose our voice, we rediscover it.
Quiet gave me ideas, not idleness. It gave me courage, not fear.
And it gave me the One Quiet Thing, which I’ll talk more about soon, not just as a tool, but as a reminder of what’s possible when we pause.
Why Quiet Matters for Women in Tech
- Quiet fuels focus, clarity, and creativity
- It helps prevent burnout
- It helps us hear our own voice beneath the noise
- It allows us to create from a place of depth, not just speed
Coming Soon: The One Quiet Thing
In my next post, I’ll share what I built during my quiet time, and how it might help you find your own quiet again, too.
Until then, I hope you find just one quiet moment for yourself today.
You never know what might meet you there.
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