Use of group pronouns when living alone

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I spent most of my life living with relatives. It is only for about the past ten years that I have been living alone. Due to the prolonged period of group living in my past, I have a tendency to use group pronouns frequently when thinking, whether quietly in my own head, or when I think aloud. I think I have been permanently programmed to use "our", "we", and "us." The fact that I am alone most of the time hasn't changed my usage. Due to health problems, I no longer have a pet, so I can't use a pet for an excuse to use group pronouns.

Here's another mind quirk.

It's been about 12 years since my mother died, and if I come across an interesting item on TV, the I-net, the radio, or in print, I still feel the urge to tell her about it. This was strongest in the first couple of years after she died, but it still happens even now.

Understandable. You must have always seen yourself as part of the family. And even now you probably still see yourself that way although they are not around. I think "we" is the reflection of that.

I don't think you intended it that way but I couldn't help feeling sad about your urge to tell your mother about interesting things. I, too, often tell my mum and sisters about little things. I think I'll do the same in the future.

Questor. I behave like you. I have a tendency to tell all my everyday ideas to my cat. She hears them all. There's never an answer but I find comfort in that she hears me and would answer me if she could.

My parents are both six feet deep but very often I direct my silent messages to either of them or both. I don't expect them to answer, it is rather a mental situation where I imagine what they would tell me if present.