Am I Crazy?

Or why talking to yourself is a good idea.

Typically talking to yourself is associated with craziness. The idea is someone sitting in a corner, rocking and muttering gibberish to themselves. Maybe this is because there’s no filter. I’m sure if we all said every thought that went through our heads we’d all sound a little crazy too.

However there have been scientific studies showing that there are many benefits to talking aloud, such as improved problem solving, memory skills and spotting errors when proof reading, among others. So why do I think talking to yourself is a good idea? My suggestions are based on the emotional benefits.

It helps you deal with what you’re feeling

If you talk through your emotions it can help you understand them better. You can realise what caused them and, if they need changing, what you could then do about it. If you’re upset and don’t know why saying aloud “I’m upset because…” increases your likelihood of being able to finish that sentence and then deal with the result.

It can release you from obsessing

Talking out loud can be a way to work through situations which you can’t necessarily confront. If someone has angered or upset you but it would be dangerous, difficult or damaging to raise it with them, or impossible because they’re not around anymore, talking aloud all of the things you’d say to them if you could, helps. By verbalising it you can feel as though you’ve actually said it to them and so it doesn’t weigh on your mind so much. It relieves you of the pressure of the situation without having caused a confrontation.

It lessens anxiety

I have found that talking through important conversations (or even just my meal order) before I have to make them really helps lessen anxiety surrounding the conversation. I feel more prepared because I know how I’m going to sound saying it and that I am able to say it without mumbling or getting anything wrong. It can also prevent panic by rationalising what’s actually happening. Saying things aloud like “I’m not in danger” or “nobody can hurt me here” make them seem more true and concrete which means they actually sink in. It may not make the anxiety go away entirely but it makes me realise that the situation will not be as awful as I’m believing it to be.

So maybe we should all embrace our ‘crazy’ a little more often and start talking to ourselves. Who knows, you may even get to know yourself better!