Once upon a time I thought people who talked to themselves were not all there. Now I do it. Isolated by an ongoing pandemic and having moved across the country after a 30 year stay in another province, socialization has become a thing of the past – except on a superficial level. So I’m talking to myself …regularly. Sometimes it’s to assist my getting organized. Sometimes I have to chastise myself for having lost my keys for the second time in one day. Other times I have to give myself a pep talk. I’m there for me. Positive and negative thoughts find me talking to myself daily. Self-talk keeps me productive.
Is Talking To Myself A Sign of Mental Decline?
Apparently not. Studies indicate that those who regularly self-talk may have a higher level of intelligence!
Is it more common to self-dialogue out loud if you are a senior? It is said that 96% of us conduct internal conversations while 25% talk out loud. Like me. I see it as a reflective exercise: sorting out difficult issues and keeping them in perspective.
One of the great advantages of talking to oneself is the fact that whatever is discussed is unlikely to be repeated in a gossip circle of one.
A psychiatrist was once asked if talking to trees and other objects was “normal?” He responded with the suggestion that you call him only if the trees and flowers talked back.
One of the worrisome thoughts about self-talk is that it might be indicative of schizophrenia. But unless self-talk is accompanied by hearing voices, delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts, we can rule that one out. So, I’m safe on that count.
The Etiquette of Talking To Oneself
Experts advise us to keep the inner and outer monologues positive. Choose the places you talk to yourself with care. Avoid elevators for example—especially elevators with other people in them.
Self-talk can be likened to a form of meditation or journaling out loud. Sometimes surprising revelations result. When we organize our thoughts, we shut out the noise and can problem-solve one-on-one.
Instead of running through life on autopilot we focus and practice situational awareness as in hazardous traffic. We tell ourselves to slow down and be mindful of any dangers. We shut out distractions and ensure our safety. Talking to oneself doesn’t have to involve traffic situations, but any situation in life in which we feel imperiled.
Self-talk can reduce stress when we metaphorically talk ourselves down from the ceiling and away from the ledge. We give our rational selves the mic and quiet the muddled thinking that can arise when we are troubled.
Personal out-loud appraisals can be beneficial: how does this behavior benefit me or defeat my goals in life? Am I moving forward, treading water, or in the process of drowning in a situation?
When talking to yourself address yourself by name. Reiterate what you know to be your strengths and remember past successes. Personal traits you employed to succeed in the past can be drawn upon again for current challenges.
In the world of competitive sport, athletes come to mind as benefiting from self-talk. Competitors need the benefits of self-talk in order to remain positive and calm, motivated, and believe they are stronger than their nearest challenger. For athletes, studies have shown that self-talk is a tool that has demonstrated positive results.
And in closing, I’m reminded that Billy Idol liked dancing with himself:
