Be mindful of your self-talk: YOU are listening!

Me: How do I write this article without it being perceived as an “eccentric quirk?”

Me: “Talking to yourself out loud” is common and socially acceptable.

Me: Yes, positive “self-talk” is a powerful tool.

Me: Go for it!

Me: I’m glad we talked about it. I’m much more upbeat and motivated now.

Is it possible you were listening in on my conversation, or was I too loud to be ignored?

It’s just one of those times when my inner monologue becomes audible self-talk. Is this the reality of a genius, such as the mad scientists, or of an insane person? I wouldn’t go quite that far, but speaking out loud is a very effective method of self-affirmation and empowerment.

Have you ever attempted self-talk? What happens when we say things out loud and not under our breath or in our head?

Let’s face it: we all say a few words to ourselves now and then.

By default, we all prefer and use muted “self-talk.” The mute, silent inner dialogue is also a dialogue with ourselves, but speaking out loud is another way to reconnect with ourselves by making the endless stream of unspoken thoughts audible to our ears. We end up having a very interesting conversation. You should give it a shot!

“Hold that thought and say it out loud” the next time you’re doing something that requires your undivided attention or in a stressful situation. When you repeat it aloud, your mind responds out loud, which is audible to your ears and keeps your mind from wandering.

This subconscious and conscious monologue of auditory commands helps to untangle thoughts, blow off steam, improve focus, validate beliefs, aid in problem solving and process resolution, and provide an external perspective.

When our minds are jumbled and overburdened with thoughts, talking out loud helps to brush minor issues aside that have caused us to make mountains out of molehills. It also assists us in preparing for tough times in our lives by giving ourselves a pep talk or practicing what we are going to say, allowing us to face difficult situations with courage and confidence.

“Come on!”, “You’ve got it,” and “Yes” are a few of the cognitive control tools we have, and they work better when said aloud. It’s also something that players do; they talk to themselves during stressful situations to help them focus and stay motivated.

It is also very effective to speak in the second or third person “You can do it,” or “Sabita can do it.” In my opinion, provides an external and objective point of view as opposed to the first person “I can do it.” This provides some emotional distance, which can help in avoiding negative self-talk and failing to see things in a broader context.

This is exactly how my writing process works. Every thought I say aloud to myself or write starts a transformational process. It could be words spoken or written. It’s magical!

My mind is like a live wire throughout the day, conducting internal conversations. My feet grounded, and the wirings in my head sufficiently insulated to warn me if I trip. This internal dialogue in my head occasionally becomes an out-loud conversation with myself.

If you see me walking around my neighbourhood, or should I say anywhere, and talking to myself, please ignore me and walk past. I’m having a serious conversation with myself, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t interrupt. It is legal to talk loud in public. Be rest assured, my sanity is intact!

Einstein, my furry companion, will vouch for me, though he has his limits. When I start pacing back and forth and talking aloud, he gets that strange expression on his face that says, “she’s annoying, but I love her.” He stays laser-focused on me for a few moments before tip-toeing out of sight as he picks up on the emotions in my tone of voice.

Do you ever mutter in a supermarket while looking for something specific? I’m relieved that I’m not the only one! When you repeat the item’s name aloud to yourself, it stimulates memory recall and is more likely to stick out of the shelf.

I do seek help from family and friends when I need it, but when I talk to myself, I can better analyze situations and reach conclusions on my own. I’m listening to myself and figuring out what I truly want out of the situation. It’s amazing how much we learn about ourselves when we spend time talking and listening to ourselves.

One advantage of talking to yourself is that you know someone is listening!