I have no idea how an internal monologue would be necessary for that. I don't have one, and I can still reflect, it just isn't narrated.

Rather than voices some of us think in typography or pictures. The full spectrum of human cognition is fascinating. Look up the "Perception Census". I have more of an internal movie with full moving visuals and audio. I only really hear voices when I'm imagining myself or others speaking, and when I'm thinking with intent to speak, the words are often in a sort of vague half-formed superimposed state of bring voiced, rendered in a nondescript serif font, and being felt (like as if I could feel the words taking shape in my throat or at my fingertips).

I don't think I usually have an inner monologue, based on how I'm seeing other people describe it. A stream of consciousness, yes, but it's not explicitly verbal. And it's not often "quiet" but a bombardment of different ideas, impressions, imagery, emotions, memory, analysis, relational/spatial processing, words, music, metaphor. I'm extremely reflective and contemplative (to a fault, tbh). But it takes a lot of effort to translate what I'm thinking into the form of a coherent sentence.

I feel you lol!!!

with everyone it must be different, but for me, it's not actually silence. Usually there's stuff there, a feeling, a song, a few words, just not full blown sentences and arguments. Or maybe I do have an internal monologue and just don't think much lol

I don't think I usually have an inner monologue, based on how I'm seeing other people describe it. A stream of consciousness, yes, but it's not explicitly verbal. And it's not often "quiet" but a bombardment of different ideas, impressions, imagery, emotions, memory, analysis. Very often I'll have whatever song is stuck in my head playing on repeat, which can be very distracting.

Tbh having constant verbal chatter sounds super annoying!

There are a lot of sounds in my mind/thoughts, most of them are not speech.

The silence is awesome. I can just go blank and do nothing. It's liberating.

I have an internal movie. There are only voices if I'm imagining myself or others speak, or thinking with the potential to speak, but the appropriate sounds of the inner movie world precludes silence. Idk how I'd cope if I had a constant monologue. I like quiet.

You just described my experience beautifully!: " If I wanted to have an internal discussion with myself- for example to weigh up options before making a decision- I actually have to vocalise it. Honestly, I have to pretend I'm talking- out loud- to another person in order to do that." It blows my mind that this isn't considered normal. The alternative sounds chaotic and stressful to me, but it does explain why I like to process things out loud with other people.

If I have to make a decision about options, I write it down, otherwise it fades.. ha ha

I don't have an internal monologue. My thoughts are images, feelings, smells, sounds... I can turn the monologue on, mostly, if I want to, but if I don't make a conscious decision to have it, it's not there.

You seem extremely perturbed about the subject.

My ex boss had no inner monologue. I just don’t even know what that would be like…except QUIET.

I don't have one and can't easily picture what it would be like to have one.

Just because you don't believe or understand something, that doesn't mean it's not real.

It's just there. When I have a thought, I have it as a knowledge, rather than as something I need to hear.

Images, sounds, smells, tastes, feelings... Sometimes it's like watching a film. Sometimes it's still image with a scent. Sometimes it's a place, like a room with music playing in it, or it can be a 3D render that I can rotate freely in my mind.

Mostly it's abstract words, sounds, feelings, pictures. Mostly feelings.

I don't think I usually have an inner monologue, based on how I'm seeing other people describe it. A stream of consciousness, yes, but it's not explicitly verbal. And it's not often "quiet" but a bombardment of different ideas, impressions, imagery, emotions, memory, analysis, relational/spatial processing, words, music, metaphor. I'm extremely reflective and contemplative (to a fault, tbh). But it takes a lot of effort to translate what I'm thinking into the form of a coherent sentence. (reposted from another comment)

I don't think I usually have an inner monologue, based on how I'm seeing other people describe it. A stream of consciousness, yes, but it's not explicitly verbal. And it's not often "quiet" but a bombardment of different ideas, impressions, imagery, emotions, memory, analysis, relational/spatial processing, words, music, metaphor. I'm extremely reflective and contemplative (to a fault, tbh). But it takes a lot of effort to translate what I'm thinking into the form of a coherent sentence. (reposted from another comment)

I don't think I usually have an inner monologue, based on how I'm seeing other people describe it. A stream of consciousness, yes, but it's not explicitly verbal. And it's not often "quiet" but a bombardment of different ideas, impressions, imagery, emotions, memory, analysis, relational/spatial processing, words, music, metaphor. I'm extremely reflective and contemplative (to a fault, tbh). But it takes a lot of effort to translate what I'm thinking into the form of a coherent sentence. (reposted from another comment)