The person you need most in your life? It’s you. And no, talking to yourself is not weird! It’s totally normal and can help you out big-time.

Whether you’re pacing your apartment before a Zoom call, whispering “breathe, you’ve got this” in the shower, or begging your keys to actually show up when they disappear as you’re about to head to work, that little monologue is doing serious brain work. You’re not losing your mind, you’re upgrading it.

Why Talking to Yourself Is Smarter Than It Looks

Muttering away to yourself actually helps your brain process thoughts and emotions more efficiently. It helps to create a slower process for you to feel, think, and act, instead of feeling overwhelmed by your thoughts. By saying “I can do this”, you’re giving your brain a roadmap through the chaos in your mind. Verbalizing thoughts engages your language centers, organizes your mind, and can even calm stress.

So next time you find yourself whispering “keys, where are you?” or “don’t screw this up” before a meeting, rest assured you’re not losing the plot. You’re being productive.

How Self-Talk = Self-Care

Self-talk isn’t just something you do out of habit. When it’s done right, it can actually make your life better.

• Mood Boost: Voicing words of encouragement like “I’ve got this” can really lift your spirits.
• Stress Detox: Saying your worries out loud gives your brain a chance to sort through them so you feel less anxious.
• Confidence: Be your own pep squad! Reminding yourself what you’re capable of is just as helpful as anyone else telling you. If not more so.
• Focus and Performance: Whatever the situation - sport, work, home-life - verbalizing tasks helps your brain pay attention and get things done.
  

And there’s no excuse when it comes to waiting for the “time and place” because the time and place is always now. Self-talk is something you can do anywhere, anytime! You can pep yourself up while cooking, commuting, exercising, or even brushing your teeth: “Tomorrow’s going to be amazing, I don’t care that I just got toothpaste on my PJs.”

Self-Talk Tips That Actually Work

Here’s how to make it effective without going over the top (we said it’s not weird and we stand by that, but let’s not go overboard!).

• Start small. A quick pep talk in the mirror before leaving the house can set the tone for your whole day. Try something like, “Okay, focus, you’re ready for this.” It might feel silly at the start, but your brain takes it seriously and that’s what matters.
• Narrate your tasks. Whispering the steps out loud while chopping veggies, packing for a trip, or writing an email helps your brain organize and focus. Suddenly, you’re calm, efficient, and seriously productive.
• Make light of negative thoughts. Instead of silently freaking out, exaggerate your worries out loud: “Oh man, these IKEA assembly instructions might as well be in Japanese!” Then counter it with a solution: “Okay, calm down, I can fix this.” Humor rewires stress into something your brain can handle.
• Use micro-affirmations. Little phrases like “I’ve got this,” “One step at a time,” or even “Focus, brain, focus” act as mental nudges that get your mind and body to sync up. They’re quick, effective, and, yes, socially acceptable if whispered. And if you want to say them louder - go for it - who wants to fit in with the crowd all of the time anyway?

Making Self-Talk Part of Your Lifestyle

Think of self-talk as a personal hype squad that never quits. It costs nothing, requires zero special equipment, and works anytime, anywhere. The key is not just talking, but listening, too. Pay attention to what your brain is saying and guide it gently toward solutions rather than replaying the same disaster loops over and over.

If you do this, you’re going to start to feel calmer and more confident as the weeks go on. It’s going to happen. Moodier mornings will become manageable; you might still feel moody as heck but you’ll be equipped to handle it. Stressful deadlines will feel less terrifying. And even the everyday chaos like lost keys, spilled coffee, those super long Zoom calls that never seem to end, will all feel a little easier to deal with.

So go ahead, talk to yourself like the slightly neurotic, brilliant human you are. Whisper, mutter, or shout it out loud - it doesn’t matter. Your brain, your mood, and maybe even your productivity will thank you.

And if someone catches you mid-monologue? Smile, wink, and say: “Don’t mind me, just negotiating with my brain.”

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