Have you ever found yourself talking out loud when you’re alone, like asking where you put your keys or reminding yourself to grab the groceries? It might seem strange, but talking to yourself could actually be a sign of being really smart. In fact, researchers have found that people who talk to themselves often have more creativity, better problem-solving skills, and can focus better.

Talking to Yourself Can Make You Smarter

Talking to yourself might seem unusual, but it can be really helpful for your brain. A study published in 2012 by psychologists Gary Lupyan and Daniel Swingley found that people who talked to themselves did tasks faster and more accurately. They said that talking out loud helps you focus better on what you’re doing. It’s like you’re coaching yourself to stay on track.

Self-talk isn’t just about repeating instructions or lists. It helps you understand information better. When you talk to yourself, you can break down big ideas into smaller, simpler ones, making it easier to understand tough problems. This habit helps your brain organize thoughts, which is something smart people are really good at.

Talking Out Loud Helps You Solve Problems

If you’ve ever heard a kid talk to themselves while playing, you probably noticed that they seem to be figuring things out as they go. This kind of verbal self-guidance helps adults too. When you talk out loud, it makes your brain think about problems more clearly.

In one study done by the University of Wisconsin, people who talked out loud while solving puzzles came up with better solutions than those who stayed quiet. Talking to yourself helps your brain think in an organized way, which makes it easier to solve problems.

Talking to Yourself Helps You Stay Focused

Talking to yourself is also a great way to stay focused and pay attention. Imagine you’re working on a big project, and your mind keeps wandering. By talking to yourself, like saying, “Alright, let me finish this part first, then I’ll move on to the next,” you’re helping your brain stay focused.

Researchers found that athletes use this strategy to do better in their sports. They call it “instructional self-talk.” When an athlete says, “Keep your eyes on the ball,” they are using words to focus on what they need to do. You can use the same idea for daily tasks, like studying, cleaning, or planning something important.

Talking Out Loud Helps Boost Creativity

Lots of people talk to themselves when they’re brainstorming or trying to solve a creative problem. For example, if you’re stuck on a blank page, saying, “What should I write about? Maybe I could start with an example,” can help new ideas come to mind. When you say your thoughts out loud, it’s like you’re brainstorming out loud, which helps you see things in new ways.

Albert Einstein was known for talking to himself, and he said that thinking out loud was important for him. Many of the world’s greatest minds talked to themselves because it helped them be more creative by letting their thoughts flow freely without holding back.

Self-Talk Can Help You Handle Stress and Emotions

Talking to yourself doesn’t just help with being smart and solving problems. Beyond helping with intelligence, self-talk also serves as a great way to handle emotions. If you’re feeling stressed or worried, talking out loud can help you deal with those feelings in a healthy way. For example, if you say, “I’m feeling overwhelmed, but I can take it one step at a time,” you’re helping yourself feel more in control and reminding yourself that you can handle it.

Psychologists say that positive self-talk is one of the best ways to reduce stress and feel better. It helps you replace negative thoughts with more helpful ones, making it easier to get through tough times. Instead of keeping your feelings bottled up, talking about them can help you understand them better and figure out what to do to feel better.

Famous Geniuses Who Talked to Themselves

For further proof, think about some famous geniuses who were known for talking to themselves. Isaac Newton used to mutter his thoughts while working on his theories, and Nikola Tesla reportedly had full conversations with himself while coming up with his inventions. These brilliant people used self-talk to imagine their ideas, solve difficult problems, and improve their thinking.

Even today, geniuses like chess champion Magnus Carlsen have talked about using self-talk to stay focused during matches. Talking to yourself has been part of the creative journey for many great thinkers—it seems to be an important part of being a genius.

How Can You Use Self-Talk to Help You?

It’s easy to start using self-talk. Here are some ways you can use it to boost your brain power and improve your daily life:

Give Yourself Instructions: When you’re working on something, talk yourself through each step. For example, say, “First, I need to get all the supplies, then I’ll start on the next part.”
Use Positive Affirmations: Remind yourself of what you can do. Say, “I can do this,” or “I am capable of solving this problem” to feel more confident and motivated.
Talk Through Problems: If you’re stuck, try talking about the problem out loud. Say what the problem is, what you’ve tried, and what you think might work next. This helps make your thoughts clearer and makes it easier to find a solution.
Manage Your Emotions: If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, talk to yourself in a calm way. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself a positive message: “I know this is hard, but I can get through it.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Yourself—It’s Actually Smart

Next time you catch yourself talking out loud, remember that you’re in good company. Self-talk isn’t a sign of losing control; it’s actually a powerful tool that helps improve focus, boost creativity, and handle emotions. Many of the greatest minds in history used it, and science now shows that talking to yourself is a sign of intelligence.

So, go ahead and talk to yourself—whether you’re planning your next project, working through a problem, or trying to remember where you put your keys. A little conversation with yourself can be helpful in making you smarter.