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Do you have a quirk that makes you think you're the only one who does it? Like talking to yourself while driving. Turns out, you might not be as special as you think. One study has found that 98% of people have an internal monologue.
And if you think you're the only one who has meowing conversations with their cat, think again. According to one survey, 84% of pet owners talk to their pets as if they were fellow humans.
We seldom discuss these weird habits with someone else. Yet we're not afraid to admit to them on the internet. We've collected the best and most out-of-pocket answers from two Reddit threads where someone asked people to share the things we all do but don't talk about. Scroll down and see if you can relate to any of them, Pandas!
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#2
I have meowing conversations with my cat when no one is around. Anyone else do this or am I just odd?
Floeckchen 7 months ago
I hope you don't accidentially say something inappropriate to your cat
#3
Simulate awesome and highly improbable situations with your imagination when you are alone or about to sleep.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 7 months ago
I call it Liminal Sleep. Some of us do it weather we want to or not.
Imaginary arguments were a pretty popular answer in both threads. Indeed, who hasn't overthunk a conversation after saying goodbye or laid in bed at 3 AM in the morning coming up with the perfect comeback they could've used that day? Psychologists actually call this 'rumination.'
It's when we repeat entire conversations in our head and sometimes can't stop thinking about them. Why do we ruminate? These are some of the possible reasons:
- It's a way to control anxiety;
- It's how we self-soothe;
- It's how we prepare for similar conversations in the future.
#4
Use Q-tips the way the instructions warn you not to.
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 7 months ago
If you have a problem with earwax, there's a thing out there I didn't know about until my 40s. Debrox. You can buy it in the pharmacy without a prescription and it is the best thing for a clogged up ear. Just buy the kit and follow the instructions. make sure you're wearing a shirt you don't care about though. It can get kind of messy when all that wax lets loose.
#5
When you're just doing whatever, minding your own business, and suddenly you remember the absolute worst moment of your life.
keyboardtek 7 months ago
Cringe moments. The only good thing about turning 70 is that one's memory starts to forget all that stuff.
#6
Puts lots of plastic bags in another plastic bag and keeps it under their sink.
If a situation or a conversation caused us a lot of stress and anxiety, we're more likely to keep repeating it in our heads. A psychologist and therapeutic life coach in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Natalie Bernstein explains that we ruminate to prepare for similar experiences in the future.
"Rumination can develop as a result of traumatic experiences or the false belief that repeatedly thinking about this one thing can help solve the problem. There's an idea that forcing ourselves to think about a situation will lead to a solution," she says.
#7
Have imaginary arguments between you and someone else, usually someone you dislike, and winning, embarrassing them in front of everyone.
#8
When getting ready to order at a restaurant, you repeat the order over and over in your head so you don't forget when it's time to put in the order. Then as soon as they ask what you'd like your mind goes blank and you have to look at the menu again to find it.
#9
Not really knowing when or how to interact with someone walking towards you down a long hallway. I never know when its time to make eye contact and I end up staring at people like a freak.
Rumination in itself isn't that bad and most people do it. However, if it starts causing too much anxiety or starts veering into obsessive overthinking, it might be a sign of something more serious. Nevertheless, there are some strategies we can use to stop ruminating so much.
- Ground yourself in the present moment;
- Allow yourself to make mistakes and be wrong;
- Focus on something else in the moment: call a friend, listen to some music or a podcast;
- Put your worries in writing;
- Adjust your perspective and ask yourself, "Will it matter an hour? 3 hours? A day from now?”
- Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses.
#10
I have a suspicion that a lot of people regret having children but if you admitted it, people would think you're a horrible person.
#11
Saying they are busy and can't go out this weekend, but in reality they are just lying in bed watching netflix.
#12
This might be slightly off-topic, but when I had a miscarriage, I realized that no one ever talks about it. Tons of women came to me saying they had one but never even mentioned it before. Like a taboo subject.
Enuya 7 months ago
I feel like nowadays more and more people talk about it, comparing to even 10-20 years ago. As well as talk about their other difficult issues in general. I find it uplifting, that people start to talk about their traumas and look for encouragement and help without feeling ashamed
#13
Have conversations with themselves while driving.
#14
Nose-picking.
MEB 7 months ago
There was a drunk man at a soirée, sitting by himself, picking his nose. Being quite drunk myself and without social inhibition, I shoutted at him to not pick so deep, he could poke an eye out. Someone then grabbed my arm and took me outside to scold me. Turns out Picker Man was the city's mayor and my boss's boss (I was a live in nanny back then). Oupsy!
#15
Binge watch a season of television all day.
Sure, we might say, "oh yeah, I watched A LOT of Breaking Bad this weekend", but what we really mean is "oh yeah, I did not get off my couch except to pee and bring food to the couch, and even that was a challenge."
Edit: Spelling. No I'm not proud, but I do have a fever of 103°...
Edit Edit: You know what, before I posted this I was a little worried that I would have no one to relate to. I mean, I know people watch a lot of TV, but I didn't realize anyone else shared my level of commitment. It feels good to know that there are others out there, just like me, who right now are telling themselves "one more, then bed.".
Crystalwitch60 7 months ago
Yes with supernatural etc only it’s I’ve an evening lol not all day,
#16
Judge others. So many people act self righteous about it, but you judge people without even thinking about it. It's human nature.
Auntriarch 7 months ago
I think people mean different things by judging. Judgemental can be a problem, but judicious is necessary.
#17
When you're all alone and a really embarrassing moment from your past barges into your head. And then you start cursing at yourself out loud.
Karl der Große 7 months ago
I say, "Stupid, stupid" to myself to try to dispel the memory. I don't always wait to be alone, though.
#18
Ask questions you know the answer to, for the sake of continuing the conversation.
Child of the Stars 7 months ago
I do this with my kids so they know I'm interested in what they're interested in.
#20
We pretend we're looking into the shop but really we're just checking out our reflection in the shop's windows.
#21
Running up the stairs when its dark, because satan is most definitely following you.
#23
Thinks about being rich and famous, and imagines what your lifestyle would be like and how impressive it will be to everyone you know, and then forcing yourself to accept that that will probably never happen and feeling bummed out about it. For bonus bummer points you can do this while looking at expensive real estate online and mentally planning how you would furnish your awesome mansion.
Other user 7 months ago
Or being the significant other of a celeb or singer and living a life of luxury because you are arm candy
#24
Popping blackheads and zits. So satisfying.
Auntriarch 7 months ago (edited)
Guilty as charged. I was Dr Pimple Popper at school. It's the battle of good over evil
#25
Sniffing our pits to check whether we stink or not.
#26
Imagining that you have superpowers.
#27
When I'm walking on a path by a road I start to worry about how I'm walking and if I look like an idiot to everyone.
#28
Think about what you're going to say before you even say it, then you stutter for some reason even though you already knew what you were going to say.
#29
Girls don't talk about the difficulties of shaving pubic hair. I'm 20 and I still haven't been able to do it without hurting myself, but I can't seem to bring myself to ask anyone about it because no one ever talks about it.
Other user 7 months ago
Use one of those clippers that men shave their 5 o'clock shadows with. Works wonders and you will never have nicks
#30
Talk to themselves. More specifically talk to themselves in the shower and win past arguments.
#31
Imagining yourselves performing live in front of a huge crowd when listening to songs.
#32
Judge someone based on race or ethnicity. Even if the judgment is pretty trivial or benign, or a stereotype that you joke about but don't take seriously, it's something we all do all the time.
Howl's sleeping castle 7 months ago
I am an Indian and seriously being racist, classiest, casteist is in our blood. It just happens. Before I can stop myself, some idiotic comment crosses my mind. Sometimes i have to tell myself not to be this person
#33
Imagine how other people think of you. I try very hard not to live in other peoples heads too much, but sometimes it's really difficult.
BookFanatic 7 months ago
What other people think of us is none of our business. I read that somewhere--probably on BP!
#34
Daydream about life without our spouse or significant other. Doesn't mean we're not happy, just pondering all scenarios.
Laura Spring 7 months ago
In my head I live in an isolated cabin in the woods with no one near. Once a month I drive into town for supplies.
#35
Inspect your droppings after a long bowel movement. Make sure no critters/ corn flakes squeezed their way out.
Edit: I have to make sure them d**n critters stay where they belong!
Crystalwitch60 7 months ago
It should be a daily thing ! checking for specks of blood etc can save your life it’s not gross , I do it , having had a scare two yrs ago , I’m even more aware now ,
#36
Saying we support small business but then only buy big brands ....
Enuya 7 months ago (edited)
Sadly, it's often a matter of price. I "support" local small businesses in my country via sharing their posts, telling other people about them and encouraging others to buy from them. And I buy from local producents if I can and have not-repetitive purchases (i.e. if I need a new backpack I prefer to spend more and buy something local than go to market). But the sad truth is I don't have enough money to buy from small companies in daily life, as their prices often are much higher than the ones in chain stores. If I have to choose between paying my bills and doing all my daily groceries in small shops, unfortunately I have to choose bills
#37
Worry about how loud you're breathing when wearing headphones.
#38
Hold your breath when you pass someone who looks like they smell bad.
Or in my case, inhale deeply to justify my assumption.
Karl der Große 7 months ago
If I walk by someone while smelling something bad, I always sort of judge that person, even if the smell is from a nearby trash bin or something. I will try to stop doing this.
#39
Enjoying the smell of your own fart and enjoying it even more when other people are disgusted.
Laura Spring 7 months ago
I farted in the shower the other day and almost passed out. I had to open the shower curtain and hang my head out.
#40
Imagine having s*x with someone else other than their SO. Whether this be a passing thought on the street or a brief moment during intercourse itself.
Scott Rackley 7 months ago (edited)
Not s*x. But I admit to wondering what that woman looks like naked. No, I do not stare. Guys kinda can't help it. Sexist? Maybe. Truth? Absolutely. All the time? No.
#41
Tucking our junk back between our legs to see what we would look like as a woman.
What do you think ?
Mavis 7 months ago
The internet is a wonderful source of comfort for all of us who think "Is it just me that does this weird thing?" Thanks to the internet we now know there are others who do it too.
Cailyn B 6 months ago
I know! I felt reassured that I wasn’t the only one! Especially the one about what to do when approaching someone in a hallway, it’s so embarrassing!
Load More Replies...
StPaul9 7 months ago
Have a full and amazed conversation with the little noises my nephew makes. He makes baby noise, you respond with 'Really? I didn't know that. That changes everything.'
Child of the Stars 7 months ago
I did that with my kids when they were babies! It's actually a recognized bonding technique.
Load More Replies...
Little Bit 6 months ago
Does anybody, after a heated argument, or job interview, always think of something really awesome that they could have said?
Mavis 7 months ago
The internet is a wonderful source of comfort for all of us who think "Is it just me that does this weird thing?" Thanks to the internet we now know there are others who do it too.
Cailyn B 6 months ago
I know! I felt reassured that I wasn’t the only one! Especially the one about what to do when approaching someone in a hallway, it’s so embarrassing!
Load More Replies... StPaul9 7 months ago
Have a full and amazed conversation with the little noises my nephew makes. He makes baby noise, you respond with 'Really? I didn't know that. That changes everything.'
Child of the Stars 7 months ago
I did that with my kids when they were babies! It's actually a recognized bonding technique.
Load More Replies... Little Bit 6 months ago
Does anybody, after a heated argument, or job interview, always think of something really awesome that they could have said?
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