Do you talk to yourself?

[theeverydaydancer]

I was going to namechange but in the end I couldn't be bothered.

I have always had a habit of sort of whispering/muttering to myself. I've done this since I was a child. Sometimes it might be about something mundane like what I need to buy from the shops etc but it can also be me working stuff out or sort of "practising" what I would say to someone else or talking about something that I find interesting. I remember my parents doing this (but they are both a bit nuts so that doesn't reassure me...).

Am I strange or is this normal? Posted in relationships because I've always had a lot of support here, I know its probably not technically in the right place so apologies.

Yes I do it and seem to do it more, the older I get. DH does it too.

Doesn't everyone? I hope

Yes but I am quite cruel to myself so I try and stop it now I have older children.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one!

I spend a lot of time on my own (with dds) and I will stand and have a conversation with myself about various topics. I also do the scenario thing and practise what I'm going to say when I have the conversation in future.

Dd (4) does ask me occasionally who im talking to and I just say I'm on the phone. That usually works but it won't be long before she thinks I'm batshit

Constantly

Another mutterer / talk-to-seller here!

All the time, yes. Thank goodness you asked .

I talk to myself all the time, but luckily I only do it in private! I'm home alone a lot during the week (DP works days, I do evenings) and I find myself having full-on chats to myself. Or I talk to the cats

I feel so reassured by all the responses! I wasn't sure if it was just me and that I was a bit doo-lally! I have been talking to myself with much more confidence that I am perfectly normal!

All the time. Even with people around.

Yes absolutely. I also say hello out loud to random cats, dogs, birds, horses etc that I encounter when out running.

I do it. Especially my Oscar acceptance speech :)

Constantly. And my internal monologue never switches off, either. I thought everyone was like that, but apparently not. What do people do with their brains if they don't have a commentary running?

It's not ideal that the commentary is frequently more absorbing than the things another person is actually saying to me in real life, admittedly.

Yes. I did it as a child (lonely) and basically stopped when I started FT work and was around people to talk with all day. Started up again when I became a SAHM 13 years ago and I'm sure for me it's because I'm lonely, no crying in my beer, that's just the way it is.

Ds has started this as well (only child) perhaps out of loneliness as well. I'm thinking of getting a pet so at least when I talk I'm talking to someone!

Yes all the time. When I'm by myself I am unbelievably articulate, witty, thoughtful, empathetic and wise. With others...not so much.

Have always talked to myself loads. Rehearse conversations, go over ones I've had but do them much better, practise for ones that will,probably never happen (YY to oscar acceptance speech).

Constant running commentary in my head. Read a quote recently about 'everything is bearable of you can make a story out of it'. I think this is how I cope with life...I make it into one big narrative.

Of course I talk to myself sometimes I need expert advice

I think it's normal or maybe all parents are just a little (or a lot) insane

Me too although it's often just in my head.

I also make up nonsense songs full of swear words, I have to be careful not to sing them when in company

When I had cats I would have whole conversations with them (with me doing their voices obviously) now I talk to the neighbours cats.

After all I get all the right answers and no backchat

I do it lots and I thought it was a form of madness. The family ask if I was talking to them. At the moment I am muttering telling myself off for a couple of silly mistakes I made at work yesterday.

I do this all the time. I pretend I'm talking to the cats. Their knowledge of current affairs and office politics is second to none. Unfortunately I still do it even when they are out.

Ps left handed. I do voices too for my cats, Her Ladyship has a very refined accent, but Bobsie is more your Brummie working man.

I do this all of the time too. Mostly in my head there is a running commentary going on. Its embarassing when im walking along thinking of something and an "oh shit i completely forgot" slips out. Especially when others are there as i have to explain i was talking to myself

My kids no longer ask. They just say "are you talking to yourself again?"
My mother is really bad for it. "Did i put that over there? No im sure i put it in there. Yes i did put it over there didnt i?"

My mam always says, it is fine talking to yourself. Its when you answer yourself back that you have a problem

Haha brainwashed i also do that with animals.
Sometimes their owners are there, i go straight in with an "aww helllooo there baby, arent you a cutey" really loud

The really mad thing I do (when the house has turned into an utter tip) is channel a Russion au pair, who does a running commentary on how sluttish her employer's habits are, while doing my cleaning up. Sometimes it's the only way I can get started