#i know some people like noise cancelling for stimulation reasons so I'm not judging that tho. that's fair. still not for me tho lmao

[tagfer]

no no youre absolutely correct the earbuds with the little rubber cap are SO SHITTY theyre uncomfortable they dont sound better they dont really do their job and also theyre always just fucking popping off. like at least put the flat shape UNDER that but noooo the rubber cap falls off and you just cant use the earbuds at all. fuck that shit. over-ear headphone superiority i guess because theres no other option anymore

okay glad to know I'm not crazy. i also switched back to overears for the same reason basically. because yeah they just don't sell flat earbuds anymore. SURE you can order them but I remember being in high school and going to a store and there'd be a whole wall of various types of earbuds and sure the plastic nib ones were there but they were an optional feature and the rest were flat as our good lord intended. and now you go to the store and there's like four options and they're all skullcandy ripoffs. granted it HAS been 15 years since I was in highschool and times do change but goddamn the future sucks.

i know some people just loooooooooove the noise cancelling of the plastic nib but like the sizes are uncomfortable, as is that fuckin ear pressure. maybe I'm just sensitive to ear pressure (i am) but I don't get how anyone can be comfortable with plugged up ears like that. feels like I got a headcold. to a lesser extent I don't understand the appeal of noise cancelling either but I'm willing to accept some people might have a different view on this. but for me i have Never found myself in a situation where I would rather have that slight clarity boost over audio-spacial awareness. and then yeah the nibs can fall off so easily like whoops there goes my headphones because the 20¢ piece of silicone fell off and i can't find it

[stilljuststardust]

Tools for emotional regulation

This is specifically things I do for end of day decompression. I take an hour and I do different things off this list till I'm relaxed.

I understand that alot of these are "basic" but it's less about what you do and more so about taking time to care for yourself and ne present in your body in ways that feel safe.

I've broken this down in to categories of self soothing.

Environment

A calming environment is beneficial for obvious reasons so here's things I do to feel more safe in mine.

1. Turn off over head lights and uses LEDs, candles, or lamps instead

2. Noise cancelling headphones

3. Phone off

4. Christmas lights for some reason

5. Someplace to sit that isn't your bed (you can put pillows and blankets on the floor if need be)

6. I usually cleanse (witchy, may not be your thing)

7. Protection spells on your room specifically (witchy, may not be your thing)

8. Stuffies

Stimming

If you don't know what stimming is it's stimulating your senses as a form of self soothing. It's ok to move your body in "weird" ways, make odd sounds, or look for sensory experiences you find comforting. Nobody is watching, there's no one around to judge you release the feelings! I usually windmill my arms, rock back and forth, hum/sing, jump, etc. Anything you want.

It's actually really important to set aside time for stimming! You don't realize how important it is until you do it! It's scientifically proven to be harmful (particularly for autistic people) not to stim. It's really hard to unlearn suppressing it, so giving yourself a safe place to do so where you don't have to worry about what people think is important.

Sensory Seeking

Using tastes, textures, sounds, and visuals you like as a tool for self soothing is extremely powerful. This can look like so many things. I personally use perfume. I find certain scents incredibly calming and when I have them on I take deeper breaths because of them so it's a win win.

Other sensory examples:

1. use slime/clay

2. Touch fabrics you enjoy (like ultra soft blankets)

3. Listen to soothing sounds like music, rain, or ASMR

4. Drink a hot drink like tea or hot cocoa

5. Take a warm shower

6. Heating pads

7. Compression (weighted blankets/stuffies work great)

8. Stim boards

Clear mind

Sometimes you just need to get your feelings out. Having an outlet where you just express how you feel without worrying how it's perceived is important!

1. Journal (it's important to write like no one will read it cause they won't, unless someone will lol)

2. Sit outside or by a window

3. Write your doubts on toilet paper then fucking flush that shit to the sewers where it belongs.

4. Draw your feelings

5. Scribble non sensically

6. Scream into the void

Inner child time

It's time to kick internalized shame to the curb. What does your inner child want right now? If you were a kid again what would you do? It isn't wrong to do things you would've loved as a kid. It's important actually. What can you now do that you wish you could've done as a kid?

This one is incredibly individual cause I don't know what your inner child wants I'm just giving out ideas.

1. Play with slime, clay, kinetic sand, or play doh

2. Draw

3. Play with toys (have no shame)

4. Color

5. Legos

6. Read

7. Write a story

8. Make a "potion" (don't mix chemicals though)

9. Play with shaving cream I know you want to

10. Build a fort

11. Fluffy pajamas

12. Dance

13. Preform for stuffed animals

14. Barbie soap opera

15. Rewatch comfort shows