I lived 30 days with no music. I am a survivor. This is my story.

I listen to a lot of music. Thousands of hours of music. I turn it on when I drive, walk, and sit. I have it playing in the background when I work. Some might say, I am addicted to music, or rather, I am addicted to noise. A month ago I would have disagreed. Now I’m not so sure.

For the past month, I lived with no music, while keeping a very accurate and scientific log of my responses.

The results may shock you.

Day 1: This isn’t so bad. A month isn’t even that long. 

Day 3: I only have 10 minutes to work but I still wish I could listen to music on the way. Does this mean I am addicted to noise? 

Day 5: I just thought of a song I was recently introduced to and I really want to listen to it. Annoyed that I can’t. 

Day 7: I’m going to finish my audiobook instead of listening to music. Making healthy choices. 

Day 8: Not listening to music is kind of annoying but it’s still not super hard. 

Day 12: This road trip is really long without music. 

Day 12.5: Wait, it's only day 12?? Oh boy.

Day 13: Ok the silence on my drive to work is actually kind of nice. 

Day 17: Just kidding. It’s getting harder, will it get easier at some point? 

Day 19: Maybe starting to feel the withdrawal??

Day 21: I am CRAVING music. Every time I get in my car I want to play something. I find myself talking to myself and making random noises. I think the silence is getting to me. 

Day 23: I’m tired of not listening to music. I try singing to make up for it, but it’s a sad substitute. A song is stuck in my head and I really wish I could play something else to get it out. 

Day 25: Need music, please. Maybe dying. Send help.

Day 27: This was one of the worst ideas I’ve ever had. I will probably never do this again. I regret all my decisions. All I want is to turn the music up so loud I can feel it in my brain.

Day 30: This was so much harder than I thought it would be. I’m glad it’s over. Tell Simon & Garfunkel I found the Sound of Silence, and I don’t like it.

Overall, this month of no music was good for me. I had time to listen to audiobooks I’ve been pushing off, I had more time to be alone with my thoughts and with God, but most importantly, I found that it is possible to live without constant noise. Silence isn’t a bad thing. And sometimes it’s what you need to talk to and hear God. 

This month was harder than anticipated. I came face to face with the fact that I am a product of my generation and am almost certainly addicted to noise. How would a month of no music affect your life? Try it for yourself and find out!