Thursday, February 2, 2012

Sensitivity


I've always been a "sensitive soul" but my sensitivity seems to be increasing. Could it be be a side effect of aging? Or menopause?

I seem to be overly sensitive to sensory stimuli these days, especially noise. I remember when I was a teenager and my dad always told me to turn the music down. Now I am the one asking for the music to be turned down. But probably the worst is television commercials. They just make me cringe. Especially the ones with a female voice trying to be very jolly, or the ones with loud music. I just feel like my head is going to explode, I can't think straight and I have to get away. If I couldn't get away I feel like I might just throw something at the T.V. to make it stop. Is that normal?

Oh, and it also irritates me when there is a song on the radio, and all they do is repeat the same lyrics over and over and over again. Oh, and ESPN! I leave the room when my husband is watching ESPN. When they show recaps of football games, there is this very energetic music in the background and the commentators have to talk over it. Listening to the combination jangles my nerves. That's what I call "double noise", when there are two competing sounds going at once... like when there is a TV in one room showing one program and a TV or radio in another room running a different program. OY!

Also, televised football games... the commentators talking over the constant buzzing of the crowd in the background. I can't stand that either. And don't get me started about political discussions on TV, when each one is trying to talk over the other! Even in restaurants, I am annoyed when someone across the room is speaking really loudly. (Oddly enough, babies crying don't bother me, because I know they can't help it.) I don't remember these things bothering me so much in the past. These days, it seems like I need silence; peace and quiet make me sigh with pleasure. Am I turning into an old curmudgeon?

6 comments:

Bearette said...

TV annoys me, too. I am glad we got rid of it. Though i am curious about this superbowl.

judy in ky said...

I like the Puppy Bowl, on Animal Planet.

We have four TVs in our house... I think it's too many!

rachel said...

If that makes you an old curmudgeon, then I must be one too - and so are most of my friends! I just wouldn't worry about it, if I were you...

judy in ky said...

I happy to hear that I'm in good company, Rachel. I shall not worry.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I'm exactly the same.
We have some screaming discount furniture and discount warehouse ads here.Husband always thinks its so funny that I say to the screen,in a calm voice, " Please D don't shout at me like that, its rude and entirely unnecessary" as it goes on gabbling away. Makes us laugh then.
Most people press the mute button, but yes I think there are people of all ages who have to put up with noise when they'd rather not, with no mute button in sight ie children in large class sizes in pre-school centres and classrooms.
I really do understand.Even full-on social situations can see me head off somewhere quieter for a bit of respite sometimes!

judy in ky said...

I had to smile, Pam, because I say the same thing to the TV when those screaming ads come on. I tell them how rude they are, too.