The Therapy Edit Confessions - Christmas is TOO loud!
Nov 29, 2024
A listener shares concerns about feeling overwhelmed during a noisy Christmas with stepchildren. Anna offers compassionate advice on managing excitement and big emotions, using the 'cup' metaphor to explain capacity. She normalizes feeling overwhelmed at joyful events and suggests practical tips—like naming personal needs, communicating with a partner, and scheduling quiet moments. Anna emphasizes the importance of recognizing early signs of overwhelm and suggests tools like earplugs to help navigate the chaos.
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Excitement Is Physiological Stimulation
- Excitement is stimulating and can overload the nervous system just like stress or noise.
- Treat emotional stimulation as a physiological input that has a finite capacity.
Personal Story: No Volume Button
- Anna shares her own sensitivity to household noise and a child with "no volume button" as a relatable example.
- She uses this personal experience to normalize feeling overwhelmed at loud family events.
Overriding Needs Breeds Resentment
- Overriding the need for space often comes from shame or belief it's inconvenient.
- Acknowledging capacity limits prevents resentment and preserves relationships.
