Tag / sensory

by Erin Nowicki

Ouch! It’s Been A Long Time…

Can you believe I haven’t posted on here since 2020…I literally think about this blog every week so I didn’t realized that it had been quite that long. 🤭 My life has changed a lot since 2020, except for the fact that I still live with SPD, so I thought I would update you a bit and share some thoughts I have on the future of this blog.

Farewell Chi-Town!

After 7 years of living up north in Chicago, Illinois, Jon, Macaroni and I decided to move to Florida, to start a new adventure. We really enjoyed living in Chicago, made life-changing relationships, and made amazing memories that will always live in our hearts. There were many factors in our decision to move, but the main reason was because of our mental health. The winters in Chi-town can be grueling and each year we could see that our mental health was getting worse and worse during those dark, cold months. With the pandemic and other major life changes on top of those long winters, it was only right for us to go somewhere new and sunny to continue our journey in this life.

Why Florida?

Jon grew up in Florida, so we initially thought we’d land in Orlando, especially since his parents and a lot of friends are there. A month and a half after living with his folks and both of us not finding jobs we wanted, Jon got a job offer as a golf instructor for a company called GOLFTEC down in St. Petersburg, Florida. The day before Thanksgiving, with the help of Jon’s parents, we loaded up a U-Haul and drove to our new apartment. That same day, I had an interview with an amazing family for a nanny position, which I accepted and have been with ever since.

The west coast has always called our names and we really wanted to try and move out that way, but the timing wasn’t right. St. Pete, also known as “Sunshine City,” has really captured both of our hearts. We live 10-15 minutes from the most beautiful beaches and 10 minutes from a really fun downtown. There are tons of outdoorsy things for us to do and it’s been a great city to live in. It has a California vibe but on a smaller level, which for right now is totally great for us.

The Blog

In the past, when I was trying to collect info and write blog posts, I kept noticing that my sensory would always be heightened..so… I just stopped writing all together. Honestly, I put so much pressure on myself to get posts out that my body would shut down. Then I’d put so much guilt on my shoulders because I was “failing” at this blog or letting the world down.

The whole purpose of this blog was to share a glimpse into my life as a person living with Sensory Processing Disorder, possibly to help others with their own SPD journey, and to help bring an awareness to people who aren’t familiar with this disorder. If that was the goal, which it 100% still is, then there doesn’t need to be any room in my brain for guilt or fear. So, as of April 23, 2023, I give myself permission to write when I want, to be guilt free, and to let the pressure dissipate. Done and done.

All of that to say: I will still be writing blog posts, but I’m not going to put any pressure on myself or body to do it with a deadline. I’m going to be “free-blogging” a.k.a. writing when I feel inspired to. When I’ve done something like this with other things in my life, I have felt more fulfilled, so it’s only natural for that to be the case this time around. As a reader, I know that you want someone who’s writing with passion, a purpose and true authenticity, not someone who’s writing to just write. So, that’s what you’re gonna get!

Your Turn

I don’t want this blog to be all about me. There is a world out there filled with others just like me…I want to hear from you! Family’s or friend’s of people with SPD, I want to hear from you! If you have any questions or are interested in wanting to know something specific, I want to hear from you!

What do you want me to write about? As a reader, what are you wanting to read? Drop a comment on this post or if you want to keep your thoughts/questions anonymous, fill out the form on my contact page.

Over and Out

Thank you for choosing to use your time to catch up with me. I hope this post finds you pursuing a healthy, whole life, because you deserve that and SO much more. Stay magical. 🦄

by Erin Nowicki

SPD vs. A Pandemic World

I thought it would be fun to write a post from the perspective of living in this pandemic world as someone who has SPD. If you have some of your own perspective on how the pandemic has affected you or someone you know with SPD, I’d love to chat about it! Either drop a comment on this post or feel free to email me.

**First, let me establish that I DO NOT have the coronavirus.**

**Second, I wanted to personally thank all of the first responders, healthcare workers and other essential workers (yes, I’m also talking to YOU teachers, nannies, grocery store employees, ETC…). You all are ROCKSTARS and our world wouldn’t function without you. **

Wash Wash Wash Your Hands

For me personally, washing my hands (and showers whenever I actually take one hahaha) is one of my least favorite daily activities haha. I choose to do it only when its absolutely necessary. So, the moment my hubby told me about what was happening with Covid-19 and that we are going to have to be extra careful, I was like, “NOOOOOOO that means I have to wash my hands more!” I know it doesn’t sound trivial, but seriously…washing my hands sucks.

⤅When I get to work, I wash my hands.

⤅When I come back inside from playing with my nanny kids, I wash my hands.

⤅When I go to the restroom, I wash my hands (obviously).

⤅When I get in my car after being in the store or gas station, I wash my hands (with sanitizer).

⤅When I get home from work, I wash my hands.

That’s a TON of washing hands! Eekers! :p

Soap and hand sanitizer feel so slimy and soft…yuck to the yuck! Not only does the soap hurt, but the entire process hurts as well. The water, the towel to dry off and the feeling afterwards all cause different feelings of pain. I can’t stand the way my hands feel after being washed, mainly because I don’t like the soft feeling that is left over. Even a few minutes after, I can still feel the pain from the water and the towel.

🙊 Speak No Evil 🙊

The one thing I knew when it came to my mask of choice is that I wanted to make sure unicorns were on it. Before I had this sweet, handmade mask (second pic), I decided to use my unicorn scarf. Might as well try to bring a little magic into people’s days right?

Thanks Stasia for my unicorn mask!

Yes, the pictures are full of squinty smiles, but to be honest, wearing a mask is irritating and painful. I totally feel for the healthcare workers out there (especially those who have SPD) who have to wear masks all day…you guys really are having go through the ringer. I’m so lucky to not have to wear a mask at my job. (I’m a nanny for an amazing family.) When I go to the store, I try to get in and get out asap so I can take off the mask.

To describe the pain a little more- since the mask isn’t giving me any deep pressure (good thing cause I wouldn’t be able to breathe hahaha), I can feel the fabric rubbing across every inch of my skin like a burn or sting. After I take it off I have to rub my face to try to reset the nerves…it doesn’t fully help but it takes some of the pain away. My ears don’t really hurt except when I put the mask on and take it off because the straps don’t move once on.

**If you have any questions for me about other things that might be bothering me during this pandemic, please leave a comment and I’d be happy to respond! :D**

Some food for thought: I urge you to not jump to conclusions if you hear someone (at any age) complain about things bothering them or causing pain. Yes, a mask and washing your hands seem harmless, but to someone with SPD, they are causes for more pain. Let’s change our habits of saying, “Oh, that doesn’t hurt” or “How can that hurt” into encouragements, “I’m sorry it hurts” or “Is there anything I can do to help ease your pain?”

by Erin Nowicki

Testing Testing

So, I found this “Sensory Processing Disorder Symptoms Test for Adults” created by The ADHD EDITORIAL BOARD and I thought it would be fun (and funny) to take it and then share my answers and what I scored . 😀

  1. Hugs even from those I’m close to can make me feel uncomfortable. Likewise, being in a crowded elevator makes me want to break out and run. 
    • My Answer: Very Often
  2. I enjoy high-adrenaline activities.
    • My Answer: Very Often
  3. I avoid some foods because of the texture. I would rather go hungry than eat a mushy banana.
    • My Answer: Never
  4. The thought of having to walk through the sand to get to the ocean or a lake can ruin the fun of a swim.
    • My Answer: Never
  5. When everyone else is sweating or shivering, I’m usually somewhere in the middle.
    • My Answer: Often (I’m usually the opposite of everyone tho…)
  6. Flickering lights — or even worse, strobe lights — send me over the edge.
    • My Answer: Sometimes
  7. My handwriting is illegible. I’m told I have “difficult-to-read” penmanship.
    • My Answer: Never
  8. I avoid walking through the perfume department at all costs. Scented candles — even the most subtle ones — bother me.
    • My Answer: Very Often (except candles…I love those)
  9. When I’m in a car with other people, I’m always asking, “Can we turn down the radio volume?” My Answer: Very Often (Honestly, that’s what I want to do most of the time, but a lot of times I just grin and bear it)
  10. I find myself bumping into things a lot, knocking stuff over, and tripping over my own feet.
    • My Answer: Often
  11. The sound of a dripping faucet or a crack of sunlight coming in from around my shades wakes me out of the deepest sleep.
    • My Answer: Never (I have a hard time sleeping in general but not because of those things…plus I sleep with a blanket over my eyes)
  12. Daily activities can be hard to do if I’m not able to see what I’m doing.
    • My Answer: Never
  13. I wear anything that’s loose and flowy, like caftans.
    • My Answer: I don’t wear caftans but I do like to wear loose shirts…but then I have to wear tighter pants for deep pressure…interesting!)
  14. I avoid public speaking.
    • My Answer: Very Often (I know this sounds so silly since I am a performer, but it’s 100% true…I am TERRIFIED of public speaking. But I’ll sing in front of however many people will listen haha)
  15. I prefer to wear tag-less shirts and seamless socks. I cut the tags out of my sweaters and would rather go naked than wear wool.
    • My Answer: Very Often

My Score: 35 out of 60!

How funny is that!? I think the test could’ve touched on a few other things but that’s ok…I still had fun doing it and seeing my score! Even if you don’t have SPD, I want everyone who reads this to do a homework assignment; it will be super fun to see what you get! And hey, maybe you will learn something new about yourself!

Homework Assignment For YOU:

  1. Take the test.
  2. Share your score by leaving a comment!

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