For the special group of people who are able to have complete conversations and arguments with themselves, it is helpful to direct those energies toward resolving something. Some people are able to think silently about the things that are going through their minds, while others bring their thought processes to an audible level. Depending on the content of one’s own externalized dialog, the world at large will judge the sanity of the conversation by its tone and content.

Particularly during emotionally troubled moments, ranting out loud to yourself about an incident, and attempting to correct the negative thought patterns aloud can be perceived by many as somewhat creepy. Many people reserve their moments to talk to themselves when they think they are alone with nobody around to hear what is being said. Most people can identify with a good rant session, as almost everyone has experienced moments when their tempers have boiled over, and caused them to launch a tirade filled with all kinds of stupid things to say. The creepy part comes when you alternate back and forth between uncontrolled ranting and a soothing tone in an effort to calm yourself. The effect is particularly enhanced when wild gestures of frustration are also alternated with controlled gestures of self reconciliation.

To illustrate my point, I will use a hypothetical example. Suppose someone has done something that makes your blood boil, and somehow impugned your character during the process. You head out to find a personal space where you can vent your frustration.

Looking under all the stall doors in the bathroom to make sure nobody else is in the room, you let go with something like, “What a stupid insensitive jerk! If he thinks he can talk to me like that, he has another thought coming. I’ll get even with you for doing that to me; you just wait and see!”

Such a rant might be considered normal depending on the circumstances of the offense. To move into the realms of creepy, you might continue to say more things aloud like, “Now, wait just a minute. He may not have meant what he said. Maybe you are blowing this out of proportion. Just calm down. Don’t tell me to calm down! I know insults when I hear them, and that was nothing but an insult! If you think he meant what he was saying, maybe you should ask him to apologize. Apologize my butt! He’s lucky I did not punch his lights out!” This creepy part might be intensified by pointing to yourself in the mirror as you speak.

To advance to abnormal, take this personal dialog out to the sidewalk during your lunch hour, while looking other pedestrians in the face as you switch between roles. If you find yourself having this type of conversation with yourself on a frequent basis, you may want to seek the services of a professional to help you work through your issues. In lieu of this approach, at least hold a cell phone to your ear while you are doing it, to make others think you are talking with somebody on the phone. When others realize you were just on a cell phone call, all kinds of crazy stuff becomes acceptable.

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