Nothing sounds silly to me when it comes to noise! People not picking up their feet also winds me up. It’s bizarre because I genuinely don’t suffer with anxiety in any other part of my life.
Oh goodness I was once in an Airbnb and what I’m sure now were possums, at the time was ‘definitely’ a man outside! I had to sleep with a kitchen knife next to my bed!
Generally though ‘normal’ sounds don’t bother me, traffic/animals etc. It’s very specifically noises from other humans, and strangers particularly. If for example I knew my neighbours well, it wouldn’t bother me anywhere near as much them making noise. Although this isn’t the case if we talk about chewing and such, then I would still need to leave the room if it was bad, even if someone I love!
I know it must stem from my past, and I remember as a child always ‘hearing noises’ at night time that scared me. So it’s well and truly rooted. I’ve spoken to a therapist and it was just classified as ‘hyper sensitivity’. I think it’s just one of those things you have to try and find ways to self manage. I use earplugs, but get this, if I THINK I hear a noise, I take them out to check. I mean.. I know that’s just silly!!
Even if this thread doesn’t continue, thank you for your response and allowing me to self indulge in a bit of therapy in the shape of writing it all down. Although I can’t imagine I’m the only one struggling with noise! Perhaps I should have titled my thread more appropriately, haha.
