Too much talking leads to a cluttered mind and a need to listen

Last week Friday, a week and a half ago, I returned from my missions trip to Mexico. I excitedly rambled about all my adventures to my grandparents, who picked me up from the airport. The following day, I had dinner with my other grandparents, whom I proceeded to tell about the trip. The day after that, Sunday, I met a friend at Panera and shared all my stories with her. When I finally came home, my parents wanted to hear about it. Wednesday night at church, several individuals approached me, asking how Mexico was. On Thursday, my third set of grandparents came to visit, and, at their request, I informed them of everything that happened. Friday, I talked via Skype to another friend about it. Yesterday, I gave a presentation during my church service of all that I did and learned. Today, I wrote thank you letters to all who supported me, narrating the many highlights of the trip.

I loved Mexico, but I am so tired of talking. Not just talking about my trip, but talking in general. I like talking--I do a lot of my processing verbally and I like telling stories--but I love listening. It's been a long time since I've just listened to someone else without having a discussion or contributing words of my own. I'm sick of hearing my voice (both out loud and in my head). I'm ready to hear someone else for once. I don't mean listening to music or a sermon, watching a movie, or reading a book. I'd like someone to talk to me. I want to get to know another person, hear their stories, understand their life.  

According to Rebecca West, an Irish critic, journalist, and novelist, "There [is] a definite process by which one makes people into friends, and it involve[s] talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time." I've done the talking. Now it's someone else's turn.