Sensory Issues

Hi coaches! I have always had some sensory issues (hyper sensitive to certain sounds such as chewing, cutlery on plates, flicking fingernails) and I am just starting to connect these with my cycle. My coping strategies for when these sensations are happening are: trying to distract myself, telling myself it is the noise that is bothering me, not the person making the noise, or removing myself from the environment. Because the main noises I have an issue with all happen pretty regularly at meal times, its not always possible for me to remove the noise or remove myself from the environment. My partner is pretty understanding about my sensory issues but I can see it’s starting to bother him when he feels he can’t just have a meal without me asking him not to be so hard with his cutlery on the plate. I feel as though its not reasonable for me to try and control my environment and ask people not to make these noises, but I also don’t think its healthy for me to ‘suffer in silence’ through meal times and feel completely unregulated and irritable. I’m not sure how I can use thought work to support me with this as regardless of how I think about the situation, I still have this innate negative reaction to the noises. It helps me a little bit to detach the noise from the person, but I wonder if there are any other ‘tricks’ out there for sensory sensitivies. Thanks so much!

Answer:

What wonderful awareness and strategies you have found.

Notice how you feel that there are two options: to ask people not to make noise or to sit and suffer in silence. What other options might there be for you?
For example, you could let the person know at the start of the meal how different sounds affect you. Maybe you have a signal for when you notice them or when you are reaching your level. You could discuss before meals with your partner how best to manage this. What else?

You also mentioned that you notice changes with your cycle. How could you use knowing that to your advantage? You may consider using different utensils when you are at your most sensitive. You could plan what kind of foods to eat that don’t use utensils. You could choose not to eat together at those times. What are other options?

Lastly, it sounds like you have some thoughts about what you can request of your partner, or rather, how much you can request of him. Feel free to do a thought download and bring what you find back for more coaching.