Navigating Sensory Overload
This past week, I attended a team-building event that I had been looking forward to for months. Meeting my colleagues in person for the first time was exciting, and the day started off with a lot of fun and laughter. However, as the day progressed, I quickly "ran out of spoons" and became overstimulated. The noise, the crowd, and the constant activity began to take a toll on me. I felt a mix of anxiety and anger, yet I desperately wanted to stay with my colleagues, to be part of the group, to be accepted and liked. At some point, a coworker noticed my discomfort and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I agreed, and stepping outside provided some relief. But soon, the overwhelming embarrassment of not being able to keep it together washed over me, and I started crying—ugly crying. In my head, I kept repeating affirmations: "It doesn't matter, people still like you, you're having fun, you're stronger than this." Eventually, I manag...