Yesterday, I was on St.John’s Boulevard riding the early morning 470 Express, in a blizzard. It was rush-hour-jammed to the brim. Typically Montreal.
Damn, is she HOT.
Paul, she’s too young for you.
Ya think? Nah… I’m pretty sure I’m in her range.
Dude, take a look in the mirror and get real.
You might be right.
Stop looking at her.
OK. I will. Stop nagging me.
You’re going to miss your stop.
Relax. Don’t panic.
Move towards the doors already.
Gotcha.
Paul, is this your first time on a city bus?
Why do people smell so gross? Some guy had fricken garlic for breakfast.
Paul, start heading towards the doors.
I’m just going to make eye contact with her one last time.
Don’t be a creep. Leave her alone.
Yeah. You’re right.
Oh, for fuck’s sake, Paul, you missed your stop.
Did I? Shit. I DID. Thanks for your help.
You’ll never learn, will you? Asshole.
My “inner monologue” and I have conversations like that ALL the time about anything and everything. Occasionally, we’ll have those discussions out loud. Thankfully, no one is within earshot, or they might think I’m crazy.
I’ll also play back songs in my head, fully orchestrated, by the way.
It turns out, about 30 to 50 percent of all people regularly think to themselves in internal monologues. Inner or “private” speech is something most of us likely did as very young kids seeking to develop our language skills. Later, it was a way of rehearsing information to encode and retain working memory successfully. Some of us use that “inner voice” to filter written and spoken words. An inner monologue is functional and not a sign of a mental disorder.
However, it’s important to note that inner monologues can fuel anxious minds. Continuously scanning for intrusive ruminations and thoughts can lead to a brooding and highly critical talk about oneself and others. If one is not careful, the chatter from one’s “inner critic” can take over and produce potentially corrosive results.
What if you have NO inner monologue?
Researchers note that approximately five to ten percent of the population experiences total silence. That doesn’t mean your brain is empty. You are probably processing information visually rather than with words.
“Different strokes for different folks.”
When I finally arrived home and walked into the living room, I noticed something lying on the floor.
What’s that strange piece of black plastic?
I don’t know.
It looks like it broke off something, but what?
I have no fricken clue.
Well, look around.
I AM, but I can’t find where it fits. I should just throw it out.
No. For fuck’s sake. KEEP it.
Keep it?
Yeah. Better save it in the junk drawer.
For how long?
Until you find out what it came from, or until our next of kin figures it out.
I enjoy my self-talk, for the most part. Heck, if I didn’t have my inner monologue to keep me company, it would be way too quiet in there.
And seriously? I could use all the friends I can get.😶
Do you have an active inner monologue, and does it help or hinder you in your day? 🤔