The Spiral of Silence

There is a model Theory created by Elisabeth Noelle-Neuman , the model of the Spiral Silence
explaining how perceived public opinion can influence individual opinions or actions. This theory alone
defines what I was experiencing before.

I was once a skinny child, way back in my elementary days. People always belittled me because
of the physique I have ,saying “ Soy dapat mukaon kag daghan , mura gyud kag kalansay” That specific
opinion was the majority speaking about myself and it was influential that it gives me an idea to gain
more weight. And so, I did. Fast forward to 2020 , Covid-19 happened and it leads me to create a
relationship with Food. We’ve became best buddies because in every celebration I attended to, I always
see Rice with Roasted Pig and I welcome it with wide smile and empty stomach. There I crave for more
food and I didn’t realize the consequence of consuming too much. Until, one day I posted a picture of
myself in social media. In a minute or two , notification pops and upon checking it, my heart aches when
I read some comments .“ Dako na kaayo imuhang nawong, murag nanghupong” I look at the mirror and
notice the big difference. Comparing myself before quarantine, I gain a lot of weight. I mean there’s
nothing wrong with it but overtime, my inner saboteur becomes dominant. As time goes on, my self-
esteem declines, and I eventually stop wanting to look in the mirror.

Luckily, a light save me from the darkness that's about to engulf me. It fueled the touch of
motivation saying this isn't the last of me. I find myself trying to solve the external problem and the only
solution to it is to Exercise. It was difficult than I thought it would be. Jump here and there, push out
everywhere just to release some might sweat . I exceed beyond what I though is my limit.

I reached the goal that I wanted to achieve. A lot of people complemented me about the
changes they see but still there are other people who opposed from it. I didn’t get the genuine
happiness from it. There I realized that I was too focus to my goal and it is to please the people. Just like
the spiral of silence, I always sense the opinion of others and I have my behavior towards what I think is
Acceptable in the people eyes. I tend to alter me from their perspective, forgetting that it wasn’t me. But
through this experience, I achieved two things that I thought I’ll be stagnant with. It was to go beyond
limit for my health and to surpass minding others judgement. I began to dismiss other opinion and
accept myself for who I am, be cozy of own skin. The opinion that matters the most is mine and to
achieved satisfaction, contradict the spiral of silence.