How can I be absolutely silent?

Question

I notice that I am always talking. I even talk to myself. Don't worry, I don't answer myself. So I'm not crazy or anything. [Right? Right.]

Seriously. I don't think I could go a day without speaking. I don't even know how to begin. I want to fade into the shadows of life right now, but piping up in class doesn't help that.

Oh, and by the way, don't give simple answers like "Just shut your mouth. Don't force air through your voice box."

I'm not talking about how, scientifically. I'm asking how I can get away with not talking. How I can control it, maybe.

But, as always, there are gonna be some rude answerers, and I probably won't get a straight answer. I don't have high expectations of Yahoo! Answers.

Prove me wrong.

Answer 1

You might need some counseling to find out the reason that you can't stop talking. I don't know how to help you. If you can't stop on your own, get help.

Answer 2

You question didn't initially indicate if it was a problem for you or not... though it seemed to be an issue for you to post it on here.

Some people use talking as a "wall" to block people from saying things (if they keep talking, then the other person/people won't have the ability to interject something that they might not want to hear or that might be painful.)

I don't think it's the "always talking" part that is a problem.  Perhaps you feel insecure that the things you are talking about aren't significant - or that others aren't listening?

Both of those 2 issues could be a self esteem issue, rooted from any number of reasons.  Really good book to counter esteem issues: "Search for Significance".

Another problem could be a home issue: Are you "being heard" in your home? If not, maybe you are overcompensating for what you feel like is missing at home (listening ears).

If you don't think any of the things above are really touching on the issue... I would try to figure out what the "root" cause is.  Think about *when* you or others began noticing a significant increase, or if there are certain things, places, or people that "trigger" an onset of excessive talking.

If you feel concerned that it's interfering with your personal life, with school, or possibly with who you want to be in the future -- I would certainly consider talking to a counselor to help you get to the "root" or to discover any "triggers", and to find new avenues of expressing yourself (or your feelings) successfully to others.

In the end -- you might just find that you enjoy talking with people (being a people-person isn't a bad thing), and possibly you learn as much from talking with others as they might from you.  It's good that you are looking for feedback, in case change is needed.

- - - - - -

If it's just a "social experiment"... then I would make a list of ways to communicate outside of talking, and establish a working plan that could help you communicate with others that day, without getting yourself in trouble with teachers or other leaders (like letting them know ahead of time that you are participating in the experiment).

Answer 3

sit and class  or walk around one day and just watch people. trust me the world is a hilarious place and people do some weird stuff if you just watch. walk around with a video camera for just an hour and see how retarded people act

Answer 4

Its just something you need to learn to control.

Answer 5

talkings fun i dont blame u...i talk to ur not crazy....o and what r u doin saturday night cuz im free?

Answer 6

Funny, I am almost the opposite. I don't speak much in public places (but I am fine with it). Anyway.

To do less talking, try doing more listening. When other people speak, listen and think more deeper about what they had said. This will make you not as likely to spontaneously say something because you will think before you talk.

Answer 7

ok wow u dont only talk alot u type a bunch too. ok seriously i used to talk to much and i was at an inpatient place and i expressed how i wish i didnt so they suggested wearing tape on my mouth and a rubber band on my wrist when i didnt wear the tape.it worked i talk alot less now.

Answer 8

be alone all day and read a book. dont go sit with anyone or anything. drawing always keeps me quiet when im with a bunch of my friends. well, doodling.

Answer 9

Uh, here's the deal: only you can control yourself and only you can make the choice to be silent.

Answer 10

pass notes write it down and then when ur allowed to talk talk

Answer 11

I'm guessing you're kinda hyper and high strung?  Take some sort of sedative or downer.  Nothing illegal, of course.  Just something to calm down your extra energy.  Believe me, you won't talk nearly as much.

Answer 12

Of course, you'll get rude answers on here. But don't worry about it. Those people just have miserable lives and would like to bring others down to the dark, sad depths they choose to dwell in.

Anyway, with that thought aside, I would say that you should go to a short vacation to the mountains, a meadow, or to the beach...and just go by yourself and enjoy the nature. Enjoy the sound of the waves, listen to the seagulls, to the wind rustling the leaves....

If you take time to reflect on nature and those sounds around you that you usually do not pay attention to, you will find yourself more in tune with nature, your environment, and in the end, with yourself.

I don't think you'll every be able to stop talking to yourself. I kind of do the same, but in my head. =) But I have learned to try to enjoy life and my environment the best I can (even if the stupid neighborhood hoodlums across the street think playing ear and glass shattering bass music is awesome).

Good luck, hun. You seem like a bright girl. Just breathe, listen to nature, and relax. Even buy a CD with that kind of relaxing music to play at home while you work to put you in a calmer, more peaceful mindset.

Answer 13

First, how old are you ? I believe sometimes maturity makes 1 talk less and think more. If you're just blabbering off, it probably shows others that you're just an empty vessel. Maybe you should THINK before you talk the next time. Because that would make you talk lesser.

Answer 14

excessive talking is a habit that can be corrected once you're aware of the problem. When you're having a conversation with another person, learn to gauge their level of interest by their body language. If they're not maintaining good eye contact and if they look distracted, there's a good chance you're boring them.Why not stop and see if the other person has an opinion they'd like to share? You may learn something new and fascinating.

      Ive also heard that it may be signs of minor adhd and all it might mean is that you will have to be more mentaly aware and to mentaly tell yourself of what your doing . I hope that this has helped in some degree and wish the best of luck to you

Answer 15

I will prove you wong god d**n it.

Ok let's see, you want to be quiet eh...

How about keeping yourself preoccupied, draw doodle get a psp (play station portable) and just play games. If you can occupy your mind with something other than conversation then your all set.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it

Answer 16

Have your friends help you. Tell them when they think you are talking to much just have them let you know. After a while you'll get used to it and not talk as much. Hope that helps.

Answer 17

Take some time and listen to what others are saying.. sometimes people that have to talk all the time are too into their self. learn to value what others are saying.. you don't always have to pipe up and give your opinion.. you learn more about people when you bite your tongue.

Hope this helps!

Answer 18

i dont think any one can go a day without talking

but i guess if you want to narrow down the talking

just think before you say and try to catch your self when your gonna say somthing

Answer 19

entertain yourself by doing someting more fun.

vidiogames.

maybe reading.

talking is oerfectly normal,were all social.

Answer 20

It is all in your mind, so it is up to you to change your ways.  Try to take baby step k.  You know I am not sure if you have been to a doctor but you could always have something that can be taken care of with medications.  Diagnosed?  You might want to check into that although it is probably all up in your head and probably your personality so like I said only you can change it, and do so little at a time.

Answer 21

have a very strong imagination, then u can not talk, people who seem to blabber all the time tend to not be very deep and kinda a shell brain

Answer 22

For not speaking out in class maybe writing the answer would help. If the instructor asks a question  write a note or doodle for the answer. That way at least your still releasing that need to get the answer out of you.

I love talking as well, when I'm working on a project or I have a busy schedule I like to list things, if I'm alone I do it out loud, but if I'm somewhere where people will precieve it as crazy I write lists. I usually have a sketch book or note pad with me 24-7 which gets filled with all the little things I want to do or remember.

Answer 23

Try reading a book for an entire day. I never talk to anyone when im distracted by a book.

Hm, I guess maybe try writing your thoughts out instead of speaking them. That way you're still expressing what you want to say just on paper and in silence.

Answer 24

There's no problem talking, that's what we humans do, but theres a difference from when you constantly blab and bore people, or when you talk strongly and keep the conversation appealing. Also give others a chance to respond. My tenant was a nice old lady, but she would always talk about the stupidest c**p, like where she went or how filthy her pillow was....seriously. Ask others about different things, where they got their clothes, how bout that nickelback or something. Good luck

Answer 25

do something that occupies your mouth a lot. candy or something. or make a bet with yourself of some sort. noone can go a day without speaking, that would be hard to do.

Answer 26

I have no idea. I've been trying for years and I have failed miserably at it.

Answer 27

dont speak

Answer 28

walk around all one day with a something over your a mouth...ie a bandana, a muzzle

Answer 29

What answer are you wanting?

You are a human.  Communicating is natural.  You want a serious answer?  Try duct tape.

Answer 30

Nathan b--your a jerk. Did you not read the question and see they don't want answers like that.

As for my answer...

What i try to do usually is just keep your mind filled. Find a simple problem (it doesn't have to be like a math problem..i hate math, but like something little in your life) and just concetrate on it. Let it engulf you so it's pretty much all you can think about. So as you can see, it has to be pretty intersting to you, and if not, try to make it interesting. Once you've done that, you won't be able to pay attention to what's going on around you, so you won't be able to hear it. Problem solved, if you can't hear anything then you won't be able to respond to anything.

Answer 31

GET DUCK TAPE!!! lol jk dont worry i have the same problem! soooo i really dont know could try thinking in your head to be silent