Patricia Stoltey

Author

Saturday Soliloquy

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Talking to myself (but never aloud, of course) is a very satisfying way to deal with the annoying things in life.

Things like people on Facebook who endlessly harp on political or social issues by parroting news headlines or the latest propaganda without actually reading and understanding the issues.

Like people on Twitter who throw out provocative tweets just to aggravate and agitate.

Like “news” stories that deliberately distort or exaggerate the facts.

By talking to myself I can say things I’d never post to Facebook or Twitter, or never write in a comment on a blog or online news story.

Talking to myself is also helpful in a positive way. Affirmations are a good example. I can create a mantra made up of affirmations such as “I am young at heart, healthy in body, and feel great.”

Or imagine a dialogue between two characters in my manuscript.

Or practice what I’m going to say (and what the agent will say) in an agent pitch session at a conference.

There’s also something very satisfying about plopping down in a rocking chair and having a good talk with myself from time to time. No one argues, lectures, or complains during one of our little chats.

I’ve been feeling pretty cranky about that Facebook, Twitter, and news thing lately, so I think it’s time we had a talk. How about this afternoon?

Works for me. I’ll meet you at the rocking chair.

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Comments

  1. Ahhhh, the Rocker. That wonderful feelng of moving without going anywhere.

    Sensationalism still rules the airwaves and social media waves as well.

    When enough stop following it will subside. Just wish it would happen sooner instead of later.

  2. I’ve been talking to myself for years – since I was a child, in fact, which is well over half a century ago – and thought I was the odd one out. Perhaps I was simply moving in the wrong circles!

  3. It’s amazing what inflammatory things people will say for no good reason. I’m not on Twitter or Facebook but the more I hear about social networking, I can’t say I’m all that eager to join.

  4. Medeia — it’s wise not to react. People seem to have very short fuses these days. And thanks for the Mother’s Day wishes. My kids live out of state, so I plan to hang around the house in sloppy clothes and relax…offline.

    Diane — really, talking to ourselves makes a lot of sense. That way, no one ever goes away mad. 😀

  5. A friend warned me not to even send her a Facebook message but to email since everyone in NC came unglued Wednesday after the voting. (Neither of us did though!) I rarely look at the stream there though. Rather go talk to myself.

  6. I have my favorite sitting areas to be by myself, simmering in my own thoughts.

    I don’t react to aggressive tweeters or Facebook drama.

    Happy Mother’s Day.

  7. Lynn — my rocker is starting to creak…probably need to slow down.

    Greetings, Hilary — we’ve had so much warm summer sun this spring that the current two days of gray skies and rain are very welcome. The sun will come out tomorrow… 😀

  8. Hi Patricia .. finding our way – so much unnecessary ‘chat’ out there – mostly waffle ..

    Totally agree – now I need a rocking chair .. but actually some warm summer sun too ..

    Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow – cheers Hilary

  9. Stephanie — “the tweets of the bird-brained” is perfect! Love it.

    Hi Jacqueline — I do love Twitter for connecting with some interesting bloggers, but I’m finally learning to unfollow folks there and unfriend them on Facebook if they’re only using the site as a soapbox for their attacks on whatever and whoever they think will trigger a fight. Life is too short to spend time fuming over nonsense.

  12. Is there room for another rocking chair? FB and Twitter – and the news media, too – are worthy of a rant. I do exactlky what you do with FB and I’ve never understood the drip of mediocrity that comprises most of what I see in twitter. I do not play but it’s hard to avoid when the tweets of the bird-brained are posted everywhere. oops! I think I said that out loud. Thanks for the soapbox.

  13. Hi Alex — I’ve been avoiding Facebook too. I log on, look for updates from a few good friends, type my update to promote my guest bloggers, then get out. I think I’ll stop watching the news as well. 😀