HELLO! Are you there? — Calling myself – ‘SELF-TALKING.’

Within the realm of yourself, you are always safe and secure. So, when you engage in an internal dialogue with yourself—SELF-TALKING—there’s no need for fear. Though it may initially seem daunting, this process is therapeutic. It can assist you in identifying patterns that contribute to distress. Self-talk is a product of your subconscious mind, a revealing window into your thoughts and ideas.

Who knows you better than you? You’re fostering a unique personal connection and understanding by tuning into this self-awareness.

This is the power of self-talk, which allows you to listen to your thoughts and feelings.

Let me take you back to a time before phones and mobiles when I was just a fifth-grader. My mother once burst into my room while I was doing homework, startled by the sound of my voice. I was amidst a self-talk session, a personal conversation, contemplating an arduous homework assignment. ‘Anuj, you have to put a lot of effort into this; this will take a long time, but it will be done; just keep going,’ I reassured myself.

The human brain is a supercomputer. Visual and auditory memories are stored in the cerebrum’s Visual and Auditory cortexes, respectively.

When we look at a text, it is stored in the visual cortex, and when we read the same text loudly, it is stored in both the auditory and visual cortex—’double memory’. While preparing for debates in school, I read them out loud to make a double impact on my brain. The habit continued while mugging through the tough definitions of Pharmacology in medical school.

Interesting research has suggested – that ‘Saying the name of whatever you are looking for out loud can help locate it more easily than simply thinking about the item. Hearing the item’s name reminds your brain what you are looking for.’ – Interesting fact, right?

Similarly, explaining processes to yourself loudly through self-talking is a psychological exercise and a practical problem-solving tool. It helps you see the solution to the problems and guides your focus on each step, giving you a clear path forward. This practicality of self-talking reassures you of its effectiveness in real-life situations.

Self-talk is a normal and valuable process, even if you do it more often. It’s common among young people, students, and adults, especially during major career transitions, jobs, marriages, or relationships. Voicing emotions by talking loudly validates the thought process and helps individuals come to terms with their feelings more easily.

We all have bundles of negative emotions and grudges that sharing with someone is dangerous and treacherous. Self-talking helps unpack and reinforce, like encouraging us. Always remember, words of reassurance usually have more weight when spoken loudly than simply thinking about them.

A few positive self-talks:

* I have coped with this situation before and will do it again.

*I got it earlier and can do it again.

*I am improving drastically—see how nicely I have done it.

* I managed it very nicely earlier, but it should be more accessible in the future.

*I can pat my back – I am delighted with my growth.

*I can still reach my destination in time – this jam will clear things up.

The above thoughts can also be fed negatively, thus jeopardising the positive outcome.

Why should we encourage self-talking?

*Self-talk initiates a dialogue with your inner voice. The inner voice combines thoughts with your belief system and instigates an internal positive monologue throughout the day. The first thing you must say to yourself in the morning should be, ‘I am going to have a fantastic day.’

*It improves self-esteem and manages stress in the best possible way.

*Helps reduce depression, anxiety, personality disorders and eating disorders.

*Minimises the risk of self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

*Lifts self-confidence while monitoring your life.

*Helps deal with chronic pain and other problems.

*Provides a calming and healing effect on your psyche.

However, a word of caution while self-talking: Be careful when talking to yourself because you are likely to believe that someone very important is listening –YOU. The way you talk to yourself creates your reality.

Research in 2014 suggests that – ‘Self-motivation by self-talk works best when the person talks to himself in the second or third person.’ – I say to myself, ‘Anuj, you can do this job’. This provides an emotional distance in situations where you feel stressed and distressed.

A message to my young friends: Don’t become a narcissist while standing in front of a mirror. Instead, look at yourself and self-assure loudly that you are your favourite, the best, and will achieve everything you deserve.

*********