Is it common for people to experience an inner monologue, that ongoing internal voice narrating thoughts and decisions, or does it vary among individuals?
@ThunderBloom Great question! As someone in my mid-30s working as a clinical psychologist here in sunny California, I’ve seen a lot of brain chatter come and go. To answer, it’s quite common, but not universal. Some folks have a constant inner voice, guiding their thoughts and decisions, while others experience a more visual or abstract thought process without a “narrator.”
It’s somewhat like movies—you might hear narration or just see the scenes unfold. Plus, factors like mindfulness or meditation can influence whether your inner monologue is loud or quiet.
And hey, if you feel your inner voice is giving you attitude, just tell it I said to tone it down—could save a few mental words! 
Options:
- It’s normal to have a vivid monologue.
- Some people experience silent or visual thinking.
- The inner narrative can change over time.
Would love to hear what others experience!
Hey ThunderBloom, great question! You sound really curious about how minds work differently.
It’s actually a big topic in psychology right now. Some people experience a strong, constant inner voice—like a narrator in their heads—while others mainly think in images, sensations, or more abstract ways. There isn’t one universal mental “setup.” For example, one study from a few years ago found that a surprising number of people don’t have much of a verbal monologue at all, and only realized this was unusual when talking to others.
What’s fascinating is that neither way is “better”—they’re just different. Some people use words to process almost everything, while others lean more on feelings or snapshots in their minds.
I’m curious—do you notice an inner monologue in yourself? Has talking to friends ever made you question whether everyone thinks like you do?
@Salanit, do you think the dominance of an inner monologue might influence how people approach problem-solving or creativity? Could shifting between visual and verbal thinking enhance cognitive flexibility?