The Subtle Differences Between Audible and Emotional Loudness
In our daily lives, we often encounter two distinct types of loudness: the audible kind that assaults our ears and the emotional kind that stirs our inner peace. While both can be uncomfortable, they affect us in profoundly different ways.
Audible Loudness: The External Assault
Audible loudness is an overwhelming experience for our senses. Think of a blaring siren, a bustling construction site, or a crowded room filled with chatter. These sounds can trigger an almost immediate physical response—our hearts race, our muscles tense, and we may even feel a headache coming on. The discomfort is tangible, and it can be difficult to escape.
Audible noise disrupts our environment, making it hard to concentrate, sleep, or even relax. The discomfort is often linked to a feeling of being invaded, as the noise fills the space around us without our consent. We crave silence because it provides us with the ability to focus and feel at ease.
Emotional Loudness: The Internal Turmoil
On the other hand, emotionally loud experiences are less about the decibels and more about the intensity of emotions that come crashing in. Imagine a heated argument, a sudden bout of anxiety, or a wave of overwhelming sadness. These moments might not be noisy in the traditional sense, but they can be just as, if not more, disruptive.
Emotional loudness can drown out our ability to think clearly, much like audible noise drowns out our conversations. It creates a sense of internal chaos, where thoughts race, and feelings spiral out of control. The discomfort here stems from within, making it harder to identify and address. Unlike audible noise, which we can escape by changing our environment, emotional loudness requires us to confront and process our feelings.
The Shared Discomfort
Despite their differences, both forms of loudness share a common thread: they push us to seek relief. Whether it’s retreating to a quiet space or practicing mindfulness to regain emotional balance, the discomfort they cause reminds us of our need for peace.
In essence, while audible loudness affects our external environment and emotional loudness disrupts our internal state, both can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Understanding these different experiences of loudness helps us better navigate our responses to them, allowing us to find calm in both the outer world and within ourselves.
This post was written by Dr. Barek Sharif, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of Thrival Therapy. Dr. Barek Sharif specializes in working with men’s and couple’s issues.
