Google the term “interior voices,” and you’ll find reams of research and information about this phenomenon.
In the article “What It’s Like Living Without an Inner Monologue,” reporter Alex Soloducha gives an excellent overview of what’s meant by interior monologues, or conversations with the self. Many people engage in private conversations—“Man, I want to go to Emerald Isle this summer!” Others converse with themselves visually much of the time, imagining the sand and waves of the North Carolina beach town rather than using words to express their desire to be there. And some “see” the beach through their feelings, recollecting, for instance, the joy they felt while watching a full moon over the ocean or their 4-year-old dancing in and out of the incoming tide….