Inner monologue.

When I was flossing my teeth last night I was suddenly for no reason whatsoever transported back to being at Daymer Bay in Cornwall where we used to go on our holidays. How and why it sprung into my head I have no idea. I’m always having conversations in my head: so much so that on the rare occasion that there’s someone else around me I sometimes ask them if I was talking to myself. Thankfully no one has ever said that I was. But maybe they’re being kind…

Surely an internal monologue is just thinking and we all have thoughts almost all the time ( unless for example we’re a constantly meditating monk). Perhaps the participants didn’t know what it meant!

Alway had and have a inner monologue. I thought everyone did.

Sorry internal not inner.

I’m thinking about all sorts of things all the time, often two or three strands at once. It’s my brain multi-tasking! It’s fine until it happens in the night, when I wake up to go to the loo. I tell myself not to think, otherwise I can’t get back to sleep. Sometimes it works, but mostly it doesn’t.

I honestly have no idea what on earth you're talking about! Do you mean you talk to yourself in your head?
What do you talk about?

HiPpyChick57

I’m trying to imagine what it’s like not to have one but I can’t. How can you not?I mean if you don’t have it, do you just sit there as if you’re switched off??? 🤔

Yes, this. Do people who don't have one just sit there with a blank space inside their head? I honestly can't imagine what it must be like - and until I read about this recently, I just assumed everyone was like me.

Everyone thinks 100% all of the time. Even when we sleep, another part of us processes things, hence the dreams ....it is usually called, the inner dialogue because sometimes nasty or shameful thoughts occur and the moral compass has to correct this thought

I'm just sitting home after work, reading on here: if I didn't I would be watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts otherwise today's weirds colleagues exchanges would be filling my mind. I work with quite basic people in a workshop so am taking care that their stupidity doesn't influence me

Cabbie21

I’m thinking about all sorts of things all the time, often two or three strands at once. It’s my brain multi-tasking! It’s fine until it happens in the night, when I wake up to go to the loo. I tell myself not to think, otherwise I can’t get back to sleep. Sometimes it works, but mostly it doesn’t.

That's when I put on Jason Stephensons Get Back to Sleep Fast on utube. Otherwise I just lie there with my brain racing.

I’m sure everyone has - I’ve just asked myself, regarding another thread about ‘cleaning windows’ - I asked aloud, “do they mean ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ “ 😂

HiPpyChick57

I’m trying to imagine what it’s like not to have one but I can’t. How can you not?I mean if you don’t have it, do you just sit there as if you’re switched off??? 🤔

Yes. My partner does this. I’ve asked him how can you sit and just not think of anything. My close friend does it.
He can sit for a long time without even moving whereas I fidget all the time.
It’s like a form of meditation. I’m slightly envious of my partner and friend. It’s a very healthy thing to be able to do.

So is your partner’s mind completely blank when he’s just sitting there doing nothing?

That was in answer to petra.

ViceVersa I know. I thought everyone was the same.
I wonder how it feels though to not think. I daydream a lot, always have.
Do people without an inner monologue daydream I wonder?
It must be such a relief sometimes especially if you have the habit of overthinking things as I have.
This is fascinating. I’d love to talk to someone who doesn’t have an inner monologue.

My brain never stops I talk to it it talks to me we sort things out we commiserate with each other we go over and over stuff it’s constant and quite tiring and then it happens all over again when I go to sleep

Isn’t this the same as the other thread……How do you think?

Milsa

Everyone thinks 100% all of the time. Even when we sleep, another part of us processes things, hence the dreams ....it is usually called, the inner dialogue because sometimes nasty or shameful thoughts occur and the moral compass has to correct this thought

I think at that level it could become concerning. If the nasty and shameful thoughts appear real, then you are talking about psychosis (which is always a negative and usually persecutory, real-sounding voice of a third person, running continually in the head).
Whilst the person still has insight, it is important that they seek medical help. If someone has this but is not bothered about it and does not feel paranoid or persecuted, then it’s not psychosis.
Sorry to put a downer on this thread, but it is important to be aware as this is something that can come along at a later age, independent of any dementia or similar.

I remember, I think it was at yoga or meditation or some such thing we were told to empty our minds …. well that’s totally impossible I was all over the place telling myself to stop thinking then having a brain dialogue about why I couldn’t and wondering who else was brain talking while looking serene I reckon it will only be quiet when I m dead

Isn't that just the thought process, without it how could you make a decision. I would think only someone brain dead or with severe mental impairment wouldn't have the capacity to work out decisions.

Oh shameful thoughts when asleep ……no never 🤣🤣🤣
I have a much more eventful life asleep than awake

My ex partner never seemed to have an original thought or idea. When people had long conversations he would say, 'What do they think to talk about?'

He never seemed to have any passion about anything- I did admire his calmness though.

I described him as a lovely guy but, 'not much going on in his head'

We parted company- nothing much to miss about him really...

It's the only way to get a sensible answer.

I don't understand this thread either. Sounds as though the idea comes from a mindfulness book.

winterwhite I have never read a mindfulness book but I do have an inner dialogue. I had assumed that this was the same for everyone. Apparently not from reading the thread.
I think I'm more aware of this phenomenon since living alone.
It wasn't as prominent when I was surrounded by family and later just my husband and me.
My awareness of the inner dialogue is reduced when I am taking part in group activities. Only comes into play for thinking ahead during conversation.