People who talk to themselves in public places often share these 6 traits, says psychology

Crafting a life in public sometimes means you’ll overhear me arguing with…me.

If you’ve ever spotted someone like that on the train and wondered, “What’s going on in their head?”—today’s post is for you.

Psychologists have been studying external self-talk for decades, and the research points to several personality patterns rather than plain eccentricity.

Here are six of the biggest.

1. Deep self-awareness

When I catch myself narrating a grocery run out loud—“Bread, oats, skip the cereal”—I’m really surfacing what’s already happening internally.

People who talk to themselves tend to keep a running metacognitive log. By voicing it, they sharpen attention and spot blind spots before anyone else can.

A 2017 review in Psychological Bulletin links self-talk with sophisticated reasoning and planning processes, suggesting it’s less rambling and more real-time auditing of thoughts.

2. Independent thinkers

Ever walked through a busy plaza and noticed someone chatting away, oblivious to side-eyes?

That nonchalance hints at a comfortable distance from social approval. External self-talkers generally lean on their own judgment first, public perception second.

I first saw this on a solo trip through Osaka: commuters mouthed their to-do lists while weaving through crowds. No one cared.

The real takeaway? Confidence grows when you decide strangers’ opinions aren’t the soundtrack to your day.

3. Creative problem solvers

Quote a jazz musician long enough and you’ll hear that riffs arrive “when the notes leave your body.” Same with ideas.

Talking out loud gives thoughts a place to bounce, shift, and recombine—exactly what innovation needs.

Researchers note that verbalizing plans improves task sequencing and helps people learn complex material faster.

I’ve mentioned this before but some of my best article hooks start as mumbling drafts during morning walks. The sidewalk is a brainstorm whiteboard.

4. Emotionally literate self-soothers

“As our experiments demonstrated, shifting from ‘I’ to ‘you’ or using your own name provides emotional distance.”

That line from psychologist Ethan Kross’s Chatter captures why many of us whisper pep talks when stress spikes.

Referring to myself as “you’ve got this, Wes” flips my role from overwhelmed participant to calmer coach.

People who self-talk publicly often deploy this trick instinctively—regulating feelings in real time instead of stewing until home.

5. Self-motivated goal setters

Ever notice runners muttering split times under their breath? External dialogue doubles as a built-in cheering squad.

A Psychology Today roundup highlights how motivational self-statements (“Keep pace, almost there”) boost performance and persistence.

Because the cue is self-generated, it’s available 24/7—no need for a teammate or boss to spur action.

That trait tracks with higher follow-through on personal goals, from hitting word counts to finally signing up for that night class.

6. Auditory processors

Some brains simply think better when they can hear the information.

If you label files or recite recipes as you cook, you’re using auditory feedback to cement memory.

Neuroscientists tie this to the phonological loop—our inner voice’s not-so-silent partner that retains verbal data through rehearsal.

Speaking aloud upgrades the loop with real sound waves, locking details in faster.

It explains why public self-talkers keep doing it: the method works for how they’re wired.

Wrapping up

Next time a stranger workshopped their weekend plans in line behind you, remember: you just witnessed metacognition in action.

Whether it’s emotional first aid, on-the-go coaching, or creative tinkering, external self-talk is less quirk and more tool—one you’re free to try the next time your brain needs a little extra bandwidth.