Dini in Training of Trainer (ToT) Trust Building Program in 2023

I learned about quiet time during the Training of Trainer (ToT) Trust Building Program in 2023. The first time I tried it, all the emotions I had been burying suddenly surfaced. Starting with why I felt a certain way and what triggered those emotions, the tangled threads began to unravel one by one. It felt liberating but also exhausting, as it took a lot of energy to release all those long-buried emotions.  

After practicing quiet time, I felt much more relieved and could think more clearly because the complexities could be addressed one at a time. Following my quiet time experience at the ToT, I started trying to make it a regular practice before beginning my daily activities.  

For some reason, quiet time often resonates with my current situation. For instance, when I feel overworked, the quiet time that day is about resting. It feels as though I am being reminded to take care of myself again, to love myself again, and to walk through life slowly.  

There was a time when I felt unsettled because someone who had expressed interest in me suddenly stopped responding to my messages. For a week, I was irrationally distressed, overthinking all sorts of possibilities, consumed by feelings of rejection and curiosity. Why? What’s wrong with me? Did I do something that made him stop contacting me?
One morning, I read a quiet time reflection about letting go, and I decided to take a step back and view the situation more calmly and clearly. I realized that if he chose to disappear, that was his decision, and whatever his reasons were, he had the right to make that choice. But I also decided to focus more on myself rather than dwelling on his reasons for stopping communication. 

That evening, I saw his Instagram story—a photo of him with another woman, his arm around her. Ah, so I was just a rebound. Was I angry? Of course. At first, I "retaliated" by posting on social media, pretending to be fine, unaffected by what had happened. I wanted to show off that he meant nothing to me. But when I saw him posting with his new partner, I was still angry.  

Eventually, I decided to read another quiet time reflection. I can’t remember the exact details, but it helped me realize that I have my own value and control over my life. So, I chose to block him on all social media and delete his number. What’s the point of staying connected if all I feel is anger? By cutting ties with him, I at least found peace within myself.
Quiet time has been incredibly helpful for my personal growth—whether for dealing with major issues or serving as a gentle reminder not to stray too far. Sometimes, I also share quiet time reflections with my friends so they can feel “reminded” too. Often, we need to hear something from someone else to help us feel better, and quiet time frequently does that for me.

After quiet time, I usually feel calmer, especially when I’m overwhelmed or distressed. By giving myself a moment of silence, I can think more clearly and make decisions more calmly.

Personal growth is never easy and requires a lot of time and energy. But at the very least, by giving ourselves five minutes of quiet time each day, we can better process our emotions and feelings, manage them, and channel them in a healthy way.

Dini Fauziyah Zahro

Editor: Ari Budi

Proofread: Peter Heyes