To wonder if this is odd behaviour

[NameChangedIHave]

I have named changed for this, because admittedly it is rather embarrassing!

I'm wondering how odd it is to talk to yourself and act out fake scenarios. I think I've done this since I was a child, but sometimes I will be by myself, be thinking of something indepthly, then all of a sudden I'll have created a scenario and be acting it out to myself. For example, a moment ago I was being interviewed on television about quite a niche topic, with the interviewee being very impressed with my answers.

I will then realise what I am doing, feel a bit embarrassed even though I am alone, and stop.

These scenarios aren't really things that have happened, just fantasy thinking I guess! Obviously I've never admitted this to anyone in my real life before, so am I being unreasonable to ask if this is odd behaviour, and wonder if anyone else does this?

Oh I do this all the time! Mainly it's in my head and I will imagine I'm battling a zombie apocalypse or I've popped into big brother to have a row with someone so all pretty normal day to day activities 😁. But now and then I will do it out loud as well.

My therapist said it's 100 % normal when I tell her about mine

whoareyoukidding Do you just do it in your head as someone else will hear if you did it out loud? I only do it out loud as I am a WFH writer, so alone right now.

Also, that sounds hilarious.

I do this. I used to think I was just weird but after lots of googling I’ve found that lots of people do. It doesn’t affect my life and I only really do it if I’m a bit bored. I embrace it now. And I enjoy it. Wouldn’t want anyone I know in real life to know though!
Google maladaptive daydreaming. Some of the examples may be a bit extreme as for some people it affects their lives but lots of people just have fun and enjoy it! For me its just being creative. Like making up stories. Authors would write them down. I just imagine and act them out occasionally.

TitaniasCloset Grumblepants Hooray!
Yes, I have been on a reality show as well. Once I was a really good stand-up comedian (Using Eddie Izzard jokes, but they were my jokes.)

Sounds perfectly normal to me. I've always had a very active imagination. Chat to myself, act out scenarios. Doesn't everyone?

I dream a lot as well.
Can remember dreams from when I was a child. many years ago.

BarneyBarnacle Yes, another one for club acting out! That's really helpful about maladaptive daydreaming, thank you - I will have a look.

Oh, I do it all the time!

Often when cooking or putting together an outfit I'm explaining it brilliantly and succinctly to a TV or radio audience.

Sometimes I give trenchant reviews of books, films etc to august programmes like Front Row or the (RIP) Review Show.

Obviously when I've had an encounter with someone I wish had gone differently, I replay it in my head and say all the things I wish I'd said.

I remember a thread on here ages ago where the OP had had an ongoing whole fantasy life for years on end. It ran alongside her real life. Not a few people came on to say they did the same thing. Nowt to worry about!

I do it all the time. So does DH.

I do this all the time. In my head when with others, out loud when at home. I also have an ongoing "fantasy" life in my head all the time. I thought everyone did until I mentioned it to a friend a few years ago and she looked at me like I was mad! I put it down to an active imagination.

Oh, that's common enough OP. A trigger is watching someone being interviewed on telly, then you inner monologue takes over and you begin interviewing yourself, like you are now the centre of attention.

Really, most interviews on telly or in magazines are just a kind of reflected narcissism. I mean, nobody is really that interested in another person, instead they read it and pretend to be that pop star who has a more fascinating life than you, you get to try out an alternative mindset and inner monologue, it's almost a bit like that film Total Recall.

You get less of it now maybe because people can bang on on chat forums like this. But yeah, for blokes it's scoring the World Cup winner from the half-way line. I used to do this quite a lot until a pal told me I was shooting it in the opponent's goal. Still, that's imaginary friends for you, even they can turn against you.

KatnissK Agree, I now do think it is just an active imagination thing. Or a 'bored' thing i.e. If I have to clean the bathroom I might act out a YouTube tutorial as I am doing it i.e. HOW TO CLEAN YOUR BATHROOM. So a distraction method/way to make it fun!

I do it too. Honestly thought it was weirder than it seems to be on here.

It's odd. You're weird. Is it any different than singing your heart out in the shower, thinking you're on stage with all of your friends and family members watching, jaws dropping to the floor in awe and ecstasy as they witness the revelation of your god given talent?

Welcome to the human race. We're all a bunch of oddballs in our own way. I cry over wonderful scenes from a film I've never made and have struggled over the next part of a script I've never even attempted to write. So I cry and smile at and feel very proud of a non-existent piece of writing I will never create. Next stop: Imaginary book tour. Oh wait. I've done that.

Oddballs of the world unite... and be proud!

Just sounds like day dreaming to me OP, I wouldn’t worry too much

I find that living in a parallel world helps me cope with this one. When I feel things get on top of me, or I start worrying, the other capable me steps in.

I have had the same parallel world for over 30years. In it, I live on a small holding, with lots of animals, 3dogs and 7children. In real life I can think of nothing worse than living on a small holding. I really don’t know why this is in my fantasy. I would have like 3 dogs and 7 children though.

Having got more ideas from this thread, I shall now go and be Fanny Craddock making a beef and veg stew. I will put on my evening dress and fearsome make-up first.

TheVanguardSix You've reminded me of the time DH caught me crying whilst singing 'Your Song' to myself. Had to explain to him that I was imagining singing it to him at our anniversary party, and that I had written it for him, and not only was I crying, but his aunt and mum were in floods as well. Nothing narcissistic about that one!

I do this OP. On the spectrum of normal.

I used to do this a lot but it was this thread that made me realise I’ve not done it for years. I was very unhappily married for a long time and I think acting out scenarios in my head was a coping mechanism and distraction in my case.

Yes I do this. I have a very vivid imagination and so will often 'act out' bits without realising it. Husbands sometimes catches me 'talking to myself' I do it really when ever my mind wonders, walking from work to the carpark, bored at my desk. I have blanked people frequently because of it TBH

I have constant conversations in my head and find myself talking to myself all the time. I get lost and distracted in my head quite a bit. Often I "hear" my head/thoughts go on about stuff without actually having any idea what they're on about. I have a MH diagnosis (nothing to do with psychosis though), but any professionals I've talked with have always told me all my issues are "very common".

I do that sometimes:)

But yes, I know that it isn't real. Idk, I guess it's a bit like "imaginary play" but for adults?

I do that, especially in regards to politics and sports

FreddieClaryHorshieLion Yes, imaginary play I would say! Glad so many people do this too