Ferris Wheels and Rainbow Ants

Can you see those tiny blurry speckles in the background that look like rainbow ants? Those are fully-sized human beings and I am at the top of a Ferris Wheel.

Going to admit that my legs were feeling a little like jelly though!

This past weekend, we spent a few hours at an Agricultural (plus a whole lot more) Show that pops up near my house once a year. It’s big…

Think... thousands of people walking in all directions, many exhibitors and hundreds of stalls, big machinery and revving vehicles on display, loads of livestock, food carts and so much more…

Let’s not forget the various sources of super loud music and all nature of other invasive noises playing at deafening decibels… It’s not my usual choice of venue, but every few years, I brace up for the overwhelm and head there with the family (#thethingsparentsdo).

Half an hour in, after walking through the livestock section, I could feel my sensory system becoming a little dysregulated… and I could hear by the whines being uttered from my littlest that hers was well-headed in that direction too.

If you’re a highly sensitive person or an Empath, THIS IS NORMAL! 

That’s what big, loud, noisy, crowded, chaotic, “fun”, in-your-face environments do… They overstimulate your sensory system!

The result in any age human being may look something like this: Irritation, “I-need-to-get-out-of-here-now” thoughts, “I-am-all-done” thoughts… And from your little ones- meltdowns, tears, tantrums, non-stop “I-am-not-okay” whines...

Important note here: There’s nothing wrong with you, or your child (Read that again!). The highly sensitive brain processes surroundings on a deeper level, absorbing absolutely every little thing in “louder” environments that other people may find it easier to “tune out”.

Here’s what to do: 

✨ Feed yourself (or your child) - good stuff - not junk. I keep almonds handy!

✨ Find a spot to sit quietly for a while if you can (We found a small grass patch and ate some lunch)  

✨ Inhale deeply (a good few times) and try and regulate that awesomely perceptive sensory system again.

✨ If you have younger kids whose sensory systems are still developing, highly sensitive kids, or you find yourself ready to scream loudly at strangers, know that the only way to find your zen again, maybe to cut the outing short and leave for calmer waters…  

Important note: Getting annoyed with your child is not going to help AT ALL. It’s actually just going to “up” the dysregulation. (Follow the above tips and take another breath!).

Have some compassion for yourself too if you’re starting to feel smoke rising.

If you put a highly sensitive person or Empath of any age in the middle of a crowded and loud environment, the obvious is going to happen and it won’t be in their control to just “get over it!”. Overstimulation, if you stay long enough, is unavoidable.

My little girl and I managed to find our breath on that grassy patch, recentre, and make the trip to the fairgrounds…

The Ferris Wheel, despite the jelly legs, was magical, and I rediscovered that Bumper Cars are the best fun ever!!! (I haven’t been in one for about twenty years and never imagined I’d be bouncing around in them again - but WOW - What a lot of laughing we all did!)

We survived the sensory onslaught and headed home with so many giggles and memories in our back pockets.

I am going to just add that my quiet cup of tea on my couch back home was really, really good!

With love (and a much more regulated nervous system),

Naomi