noise

I gave my daughter a box of those Valentine’s candy hearts to eat and every time she crunches down on one it is like a spear going through my head. 

Next time, remember to go for the softer ones. 

I hate noise.

Hate it. 

Like Jeckyll and Hyde hate it.

I hate crunching, chewing, snapping, typing, clicking, clacking, humming, popping, sucking, clipping, clicking, tapping. 

I have an intense fear of being stuck in an elevator with a bunch of people snapping gum.

Or eating popcorn.

Or typing on keyboards.

Or clipping nails. 

Oh, the torture!

I was thrilled when I saw an article in Time Magazine recently that indicated I was not alone.

But it also indicated that perhaps the best way to conquer the phobia is to face it head on – by being exposed to those noises you hate the most until you mentally figure out that it’s just noise, accept it, and move on. 

I do feel part of my problem is mental, because, with the exception of those candy hearts and an occasional piece of gum, my children’s noise-making tendencies don’t bother me in the least.

In fact, I even think I might say with them I can tune out the annoyances. 

If only this worked with everyone else. 

Fortunately I do just fine when there is plenty of other background noise to distract me (like at a restaurant or noisy family gathering). 

But when it is quiet and all my brain has to focus on is the sound (s) that is when I feel myself getting ready to lose it.  Transform.   

Call it my inner Mr. Hyde I guess. 

So the thought of facing my phobia head on in the hopes of getting past it??

Hmmm.  

I rather like my approach of avoidance better.  And if that fails I fall back to my secondary plan of glaring. 

And thirdly? 

Earplugs are the best invention ever. 

PS:  No, none of these noises bother me when I am the one making them!!