How I Sensory Edit
Yesterday I was sitting at a red light, my hands gripping the wheel, and I realized I wasn’t breathing.
Almost immediately, I released an exhale and felt my body soften, just a little.
I was uncomfortable.
In my head, I felt jumbled and scattered. My body? Wound up. Racing, even though I was seated.
So I started my process of Sensory Editing.
First, I turned off the podcast I was listening to. The silent void that was left – no one else talking at me – felt restorative.
But I wasn’t done.
The quiet car helped me notice that my neck felt hot, restricted. I removed the scarf I was wearing.
As if on cue, my intuition told me that I needed to take my hair out of my ponytail. Something about how it bumped up against my headrest was too much. I took out the elastic, and felt myself exhale.
I don’t know when I first started trying out this kind of ‘sensory removal.’
But between my own mindfulness practices, and raising a kiddo with extreme sensory sensitivities, somewhere along the way I started tuning in.
Tuning into my body and the physical sensations I was experiencing.
Tuning into the quality of my mind: the racing thoughts, the tight mental grip.
Tuning into my environment, and paying attention to inputs all around me.
And realizing that I get to decide.
Whether it’s a noisy restaurant, a hot room, or an uncomfortable pair of pants – I get to decide if I want to tolerate it.
Not if I can tolerate it. But if I choose to.
Try This Out
Not everyone shares the same sensory sensitivities and preferences. In fact, I’m learning that some of us need less sensory input, and some of us actually need more.
What I encourage you to do this week is to pay attention to what feels best to you.
This may show up in your external environment. For example, is your office loud and talkative, or quiet like a library? How does that impact how you feel?
This is also true for your body and your mind. Does your bedtime TikTok routine amp up your anxiety, or help you feel more relaxed?
There is no right or wrong here (hey, I’m the first to admit that watching funny TikToks really does help me calm down before bed!).
The opportunity, though, is to know yourself better. To know what you like, what feels good and restorative and supportive.
And equally important: to know what’s not working. What doesn’t feel good.
And to edit that sh*t out!
Will you give it a try? I’d love to hear what you learn.
What To Do Next
A couple of fun announcements and events coming up!
The Little Deck of Sweet Reflections is an actual, real thing – and I can’t wait to get it in your hands! Pre-order here and be sure to follow along with all the behind the scenes as I bring these beauties to life.
If you’re in Richmond, visit me at two April markets where you can shop my journals and The Little Deck. On April 19th I’ll be at headquarters’ Spring Fling and on April 23rd I’ll be at Lavender Hill’s Book Swap and Meet the Author event! Both are free and open to the public. I’d love to see you there!
Here’s to noticing what feels good – and letting go of what doesn’t!
Onward,
