“Silence is sometimes the best answer.” As we step into 2026, many of us are standing at a threshold. The winter break and holiday season have gently closed, and the rhythm of work is returning—annual reviews being finalized, priorities recalibrated, and a new quarter demanding clarity and momentum. This moment is not just about restarting—it’s about re-centering. Before the pace accelerates, there is power in pause. Research continues to affirm that quiet solitude enhances e