Blog Every Day in May Challenge- Day 26
I read something online recently that has completely changed the way I look at myself! I wish I had found out about this years ago!
I have always been extremely sensitive. I get over-stimulated easily then feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Loud or continuous noises, too many sounds at once, such as the T.V. and radio on, and someone talking to me at the same time, makes it very difficult for me to concentrate on what that person is saying, as well as very hard to think, and quickly raises my stress and anxiety levels until I just want to (and sometimes do) scream!
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| “I can feel them sucking the juice out of my eyeballs. Suck! Suck!” Anyone remember ‘Joe vs the Volcano’? |
Bright lights, especially those horrible flashing, buzzing, florescent ones, make me nauseous.
I’m very sensitive to electronics. When I first got a smartphone, the touch screen felt too hot, made my fingers tingle, and really bothered me to use. And I’m always the first to notice any humming from any electronic device.
I can almost feel before something even touches me. If a tag is itching me, or something poking me, get it off/out NOW!!
If too much touching is going on at once, I can’t handle it and will freak out!
Flash back coming on:
Once I went in to get my nails done when no one else was in the shop. The ladies there must have thought I was in a hurry or something because they proceeded to give me a mani and pedi at the same time. Not only that, but had one person on each limb!
Four girls surrounded me, talking loudly in a language I couldn’t understand, while systematically ripping off my old acrylic nails (yes, I had those for a short while), and sawing away at my toes.
It was so overwhelming to me that I could barely get the words out without screaming for them to “STOP!” I think I did just about yell and probably scared them to death! I had to do some deep breathing just to get through the rest of the appointment, even after I asked to have them do one thing at a time. Something that was supposed to be an enjoyable experience was a total nightmare for me!
I need lots of time home, in quiet, or relative quiet. This sensitive thing is very looked down on in our society. It’s seen as week or some kind of disability. I’ve never really talked about it openly before. I just try to deal with it and act normal, hoping no one will notice the manic look in my eyes, one of which is beginning to twitch, or my clenched teeth and deep breathing!
I’m also sensitive in other ways. I feel deeply. I’m very empathetic. I feel other people’s pain, especially those I’m close to, in a very intense and real way.
So what is it I read that made me finally feel okay about this “problem”? (This is not sponsored, I just really wanted to share this.)
The Highly Sensitive Person “I began researching high sensitivity in 1991 and continue to do research on it now, also calling it Sensory-Processing Sensitivity (SPS, the trait’s scientific term)” Dr. Elaine Aron
There are tons of people out there just like me! I’m not abnormal, well, not completely. I’ve been validated! (Doesn’t that just make all difference?!)
And not only is 20% of the population suffering with me (don’t mean to sound so happy about that), it can be considered a gift!
I’m more intuitive, a deep thinker, my brain processes more info at once, hence being easily overwhelmed (yep, I’m bragging here!).
“You are more aware than others of subtleties. This is
mainly because your brain processes information and reflects on it more
deeply. So even if you wear glasses, for example, you see more than
others by noticing more.” Dr. Elaine Aron
I ordered the book, The Highly Sensitive Person, and can’t wait to learn more about myself in a positive light! Embracing my differences, accepting that I need to do certain things to take care of myself that others may not understand; such as getting plenty of down time to decompress.
Of course, I started researching more once I came across that first site; can this be for real?
Immediately I found some other great resources:
strong smells, are extremely perceptive, have rich and often intense
internal lives, and need plenty of quiet and down time to maintain their
equilibrium (and sanity, I would personally add).” Susan Biali, M.D.
“Being highly sensitive isn’t a disorder, aliment or flaw; it’s simply an innate trait, according to Ted Zeff, PhD, author of three books on HSPs, including The Highly Sensitive Person’s Survival Guide and The Strong, Sensitive Boy.” Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S.
Is this speaking to you, too? Are you highly sensitive also?
Ever since I hit peri-menopause, I too have become sensitive to loud sounds. It really disturbs me when the tv is on in surround sound and I am trying to concentrate on something else. I oftentimes think I shall invest in sound cancelling head phones. Great post.
Visiting from The Blog Strut
Barbara @ http://www.allmylivesnow.com
Thanks for linking up and commenting! I'll come check out your blog as well! Yes, I'm constantly turning the tv down, and the hubby, who's half deaf, is turning it back up
Great post. I suspect my sensitivity is hormone driven, but I have difficulty with too much noise. Ear plugs have been my salvation.
I agree! It's supposed to be relaxing, not hurry up and get this customer out the door! Whether I'm sensitive or not! 😉
Yikes, I think I would have been upset to have 4 ladies working on giving me a mani/pedi at the same time. After all you are paying for one person's time when you go to a spa, they should have given you the real spa experience.