So I’m working on my laptop in a huge public library. It’s a giant room filled with 4-seater tables filled with people on laptops or studying.
I was the only one at my table when three people came and sat down. No big deal.
It became apparent that two of the people were students and the third, an older lady, was their teacher or tutor.
The tutor proceeded to talk, NONSTOP, I mean, not even pausing for a breath of air, for 20 minutes straight, all while the two students ignored her and tried to do their work. She was speaking a different language, so I was able to tune it out for a while.
But as the minutes passed, I felt myself getting more and more annoyed.
Then I look around and I swear, every other table seemed to be occupied by peaceful, quiet people. Of course I was stuck at this table with this insufferable person.
I felt the annoyance rising higher and higher in me, like a strengthening wave, until I couldn’t stand it. When this happens, I recognize that I’m overreacting to the situation, but I can’t help how I feel. I can’t stop the feeling. I gathered up my things and found another table with an open seat. I took a deep breath and immediately felt a little better.
I thought about how something so insignificant bothered me so much and how most “normal” people probably would not have been bothered by the talking tutor. Why do such small things bother me? I wish I wasn’t this way. But, unfortunately, I can’t help it.
Had that same feeling.. and i feel like screaming from the inside. But there is one time only that i figured something that actually made a sense out of that madness..
I have had a busy day and the next day although i slept i was still overstimulated.. so i was still on “annoyance gear”.. then it was like let’s say six in the morning.. and my mom for some reason decided to storm into my room and begin speaking to me because there was something that had to be done after she left that i had to take care off… needless to say… at every word that feeling was kicking in.. like if the pitch of her voice.. at that moment was developing a sense that will culminate in overflowing of all my emotions.. i was half asleep… needless to say.. being in snooze mode.. is not the best for someone to come and kind of demand attention and focus out of an HSP… needless to say.. i felt annoyed and fussy, crumpy also.. but i realize.. one thing .. interesting.. its all about the pitch. Non stop.. is “stormy”… for HSPs it does wreck havoc.
I like this: “at that moment was developing a sense that will culminate in overflowing of all my emotions.” I totally understand that. It’s like all these feelings are gathering up, like clouds gatherings for a storm, and they are about to overflow! Certain “pitches” can definitely set me off. In fact, certain people set me off!
yeap!… some is just the pitch.. others have the full package.. meaning … even their mood (since i CAN sense it)… it will set me off .. running looking for the EXIT.
For non-HSP to understand: Is like the feeling when you smell something getting rotten.. you just can not stand it.. you stay away because it can make you throw up. Transfer it to the HSP emotial realm and there you have it… cannot stand it. That person has just something you cannot deal with it in your sanity. Once they get into ANOTHER MOOD, THEN you can deal with it. I have a say in order for me not to get sick: “Stay away from me, and deal with it… THEN..afterwards you are more than welcome.” Of course sometimes there is not much we can do.. so we are the ones stepping out of the situation..we dont like confrontations. So i say to myself: “ok, catalina, that’s IT, time to move”.
Like now, I can feel myself getting more and more wound up over continuous noises around me (other people making stupid pointless noises/humming/tapping/banging) when I am trying to concentrate or make a decision. It’s like my mind can’t work properly. I can’t help but show that I am angry and I nearly cry. It’s beginning to feel like another Misphonia trigger.
I’m sorry to hear that. Can you wear headphone with music or white noise? White noise is my savior!!!
Only yesterday was I saying to my colleague (who I think may also be a HSP) ‘why can’t our colleague take her rants into a meeting room?’!!
I carry two types of earplugs with me for these occasions. One pair that blocks a little sound, but I can still carry on a conversation with someone. They’re called MACKS, and they’re great for in the car, coffee shops and noisy restaurants. The others are called Quiet Time, which block more sound. Often they help me get through a situation in good shape instead of ending up feeling like I’m going to have a nervous break down and having to come home and sleep for several hours to recover. I use them to sleep also. They’ve been a lifesaver!
Hi Kate, thanks for the recommendation. I will look into MACKS and Quiet Time!
I know that same freaking built up of annoyance feeling! I’m a senior in high school and every day in my government class I hear this girl in back of me babble on and on about her boyfriend and her life to her twice as annoying friend next to her. I wish I could move seats or move Judy or that other kid lol but the teacher won’t let me move! I can’t read while someone talks it’s sooo distracting!