Beware of sensory overload

A personal story today to make a point for all of us to be aware of around allowing ourselves to experience sensory overload and the impact that can have.

Oh, and also a recommendation for those who suffer restricted hearing, one which may make a massive positive change for them.

Sitting in the wrong seat

This week I ate indoors at a restaurant with a group for the first time in about six months (due to UK lockdown). I was the first to arrive and the table was tucked up against a corner in this tiny place, so I took the seat in that corner to make it easier for everyone as they came in.

I had arrived at dinner in celebratory mood. After all it was the first meal indoors at a restaurant in ages and we had all looked forward to it for some time, plus I had just that day wrapped up months of renovations on my house, with the last tradesman finishing only thirty minutes prior.

However, as the meal went on, I started to feel really out of sorts. I felt down (very rare for me), frustrated (equally rare), just really, well, “off”. The person across from me noticed I was not my usual energetic and smiley self and asked me if I was ok. They even said I seemed to be sulking. Rather than say nothing, I told them that I felt excluded from the conversation and a couple of other things about how I felt others…