How can I stop saying 'you know' all the bloody time!?

[DairyM1ilk]

I am 51 years old and currently retraining. The course involves recording ourselves in hour long sessions and then listening to the recordings. I know no one likes their voice, etc, but I am horrified at how much I use 'you know' in my speech. Like, you know, constantly! I feel that it happens because I have brain fog and I'm either not sure about what I am saying or I lose my train of thought from one second to the next. Are there any techniques I can use to stop saying 'you know' constantly? I feel every time I say it it just highlights the fact that I actually don't know!

Can you write it down before you say what you’re recording?

Ask friends to mention it every time you say it.

Eventually you will catch yourself about to say it and you won't say it anymore.

This type of speech is called a 'filler'. There are lots of examples online, together with tips on how to stop using them. Have a look at this: www.superchart.io/blog/how-to-stop-using-filler-words#:~:text=Using%20a%20few%20filler%20words,all%20they%20can%20focus%20on.

I'd love to know this myself. Mines a constant "you know what I mean" 😂

I hated when I would listen to people or watch TV and people would say "Like" all the time. Then I noticed I was doing it too so I made a point of slowing down when I was talking and really paying attention to when I wanted to insert "like" in the conversation. It really helped me.

This is helpful, thank you all!!