ZERONOVABLOSSOM

Balloon popping, thunder, fireworks, and gunshots are up there for me. Anything sudden and loud really but those in particular I’m vigilant of. Can’t really watch live action movies because of it, at least not in theatres. Requires a lot of pausing a scene, pacing around a bit before unpausing or just letting it play while I stim until it’s over. I’m more prone to unhealthy stims with noises like this.

Open mouth chewing or people with powerful jaws chewing is uncomfortable. Power chewing makes me feel like I’m going to get eaten. My hair stands on end and I get really fight or flighty. As a kid peers would chew in my face since I was so reactive to it and that definitely made it worse. I’ve given someone a black eye from aggressively spasming when they did it to tease me playfully so its one of those disclaimers I’m pretty quick to spout off from the “Don’t do this or we will guaranteed have a bad time” list.

Otherwise random noises can be highly upsetting for no reason I can discern then be completely fine later.

I also need to know what caused a sound and will openly question where it came from until I figure it out or someone tells me. I wouldn’t say it’s an irritating experience, more of maybe… somewhere in the realm of mild to moderate curiousity and anxiety.

How many times they’ve used the restroom and not washed their hands afterwards.

I bring my towel into the bathroom and turn the water on. I tell myself I can turn the water off and give up but usually just the partial act of showering will get me to do it. Putting on music or a podcast helps so I can pay attention to something else while showering helps too.

Otherwise I’ll use wet wipes for the days it’s just not happening.

Haha I didn’t even realize it was painted until I looked closer!