I talk too much

[Anonymous]

I live alone, and lately I feel like I am talking too much to friends and coworkers about things they don't care about. You know those dumb little stories from everyday life -- the annoying email your boss sent, the cute thing the dog did, whatever -- that you would ordinarily tell your partner at home that night. I don't want to be the obnoxious person who talks everyone's ear off. Any tips, besides just shut up? As I type this, I realize there is probably not. Hmm.

[Anonymous]

No, just try to shut up...

[Anonymous]

Try to make some new friends you can talk to. Meetup is a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

Why do you feel this way? One of my closest friends is single and we talk (usually via text or google hangouts) every day. We talk about completely random things. From vents to observances to just mundane stuff. It doesn't bother me at all! But it's a two way street because I rely on confiding in her soMe times too

[Anonymous]

I give you credit for recognizing this. My suggestion is not to "just shut up" because sometimes it's appropriate to have those sorts of conversations and some friends/co-workers might actually be interested (for example: I'd be interested in hearing about the annoying e-mail from the boss because I find office politics interesting). I would just work on being more conscious of social cues and once you see that the person is losing interest cut the conversation short. It's fine to tell your little stories as long as you keep them short and sweet.

[Anonymous]

Start a blog. I live alone too, and babble about all kinds of random crap on my blog.

[Anonymous]

I have some friends that I can talk like this to for hours. They don't mind. I have other friends who would probably try to strangle me.
When you catch yourself mid-prattle say something like 'i'm sorry, i'm probably boring you to death!' and stop. If they let you stop and the convo keeps going on to other subjects that means you need to dial it back with that person. If they say they don't mind and encourage you to continue or start to ramble on with you about some stuff themselves then you may have a chatting partner in crime.

[Anonymous]

ask them about themselves. that way, you can have conversation, without it being two way, and you are listening enough to pick up on cues.

join some groups where the purpose is to socialize.

and if all else fails, can I give you my mom's number? She is lonely too and quite the talker, and when she meets her ilk, its pretty funny to see how two people can manage to babble endlessly and talk over each other and not really notice. (its probably why I am pretty quiet).

[Anonymous]

Run DMC

[Anonymous]

This is what my sister is for. Do you have a sibling or cousin?

[Anonymous]

A few thoughts that might be helpful:

Why don't you read more OP? Reading has a tendency to quiet me, and it gives me a legitimate thing to discuss with coworkers and friends.

Volunteering and hobbies can also help.

Don't feel so self-conscious, if you have this level of self-awareness you're probably a great person. Just own that and work on having interesting things to discuss.

Also, meditation is great. There's a lot you get out of yourself and other people when you practice quiet. Quiet can be really fulfilling when you own it.

Another great exercise is to ask someone about themselves - in a way they wouldn't normally expect to be asked about, and then just sit back and listen. You learn so much, and people tend to adore you. "What's your favorite vacation ever? I've been thinking of traveling."

Travel!

Best of luck to you OP. You're just fine, and I'm surrounded by people/ DH, animals, kids, constantly surrounded, and I still talk too much (to myself sometimes too

[Anonymous]

I require a lot of burning off energy through exercise. I am more introverted and talking too much goes against my nature, usually a sign of agitation not loneliness.

[Anonymous]

You know, OP, I think people probably like your stories as long as they feel like it's a two-way street. I like hearing about the little things in life that causes one to muse over, etc. However; the minute I think that someone is not really interested in ME hearing their story, but rather telling anyone the story and I'm just a warm body with ears, I get really bored and turn off fast. So as long as you're telling to connect with someone and not just to yammer to anyone, great!

And btw you would do great volunteering at a senior center; there are so many people that want someone to talk to them!

And finally, don't rule out adopting a pet to talk to. There's that cute-but-true bumper sticker that has a picture of a paw and it says, "Who saved who?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know, OP, I think people probably like your stories as long as they feel like it's a two-way street. I like hearing about the little things in life that causes one to muse over, etc. However; the minute I think that someone is not really interested in ME hearing their story, but rather telling anyone the story and I'm just a warm body with ears, I get really bored and turn off fast. So as long as you're telling to connect with someone and not just to yammer to anyone, great!

And btw you would do great volunteering at a senior center; there are so many people that want someone to talk to them!

And finally, don't rule out adopting a pet to talk to. There's that cute-but-true bumper sticker that has a picture of a paw and it says, "Who saved who?"

No...just no!!! This is how crazy cat ladies are made.

[Anonymous]

Call your mother. Trust me, she would love to hear your inane stories.