I know I've discussed this before, yet feel it's something I'd like to return to again. When I am tasked with making a decision, I instantly start talking out loud to myself. Sometimes I'm in public, and others give me strange looks; and other times, I'm at home alone. I don't care, bc I'm deep within the decision-making process, and I do so much better if I can hear my thoughts. Just being able to hear myself, as I work through something, clears my brain, and decisions are easier and clearer.
Am I the only one that does this? Or, am I the only one who admits to doing this? When you're tasked with making a big decision, how do you do it? Do you catch yourself going through every possible scenario out loud? Do you close yourself off in a room and list out the pros and cons? Or do you handle it another way?
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NotAChevy
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I think your response is ok. It's your process. As long as it's not disruptive to others, I think it's ok. I always go to "How am I going to screw this up" scenario. It's just how I move backwards from that. I find talking it out with someone to bounce ideas off us is normal and healthy. If you're a very linear thinker, might be a good idea to make a list and chat with others. I think the important thing to remember is identifying what you are strong at and navigating where you struggle. As a teacher, I often asked other teachers what their processes were. For example, "How long do you spend grading?" This gave me an idea of what is reasonable. Time blindness is a serious struggle for me, I was spending 8 hours on weekends grading....
I talk out loud to myself all the time so it's not just when making serious decisions. Really big decisions or decisions that have got me really anxious or agitated, I use a pro / con list. I also talk to different people to get opinions and I include those in my decision making which is not to say I take their advice. I throw others' advice up on the board and consider how it relates or fits in with my very personal raw feelings, perceptions, wants, goals, etc. A pro/con list having the most input from my own self and others is the best way to do it. to the most insanely minute detail to big issues...consider them all.
I think it's very different for everyone and there is no right or wrong answer. My daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD always processed things outloud. We talked about a problem until all of the emotion and anxiety was drained from it and then talked through options and she made a decision. I found doing this in tandem to walking really helped the process-Honestly we logged a lot of miles on those walks but I don't think there was any other way to get through it and it worked for her. I think having a sounding board to accept the process and her learning as well as the art of listening without judgement has lead to happiness in her life. 😀
She is fortunate to have a Dad who listens especially through the lens of someone who knows that different brains function and process differently. Probably good learning time for both of you.
I think out loud to analyze decisions all the time so I can actually hear the thought that I'm trying to think in the moment rather than the plethora of other thoughts that are ZOOMING through my Busy Brain 🧠.Sometimes people will look at me funny and I'll tell them that and I've always gotten a positive response even from people that I'm 99% certain they're neurotypical.
I'm actually surprised that once I've explained something to people like that how positive they have responded to me.
I sometimes make statements or ask questions to myself. "This does not look good.
"I can do this
"What should I do here?
When I share an office it needs to be addressed!
My reflection is it's sort of grounding or soothing. And I think sometimes it is a question of myself and a decision. But I do not keep on talking. I reach for a pen, posits, card. Whiteboard marker etc. Every decision is mindmapped, bullet pointed, captured. Outlined.
What do you say? Do you have a dialogue? Or is it "what are the options here? Type questions?
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