Life in HD

Online Thesaurus Shopping

This week, I had a enthralling conversation with a colleague about a new book I had purchased. I was incredibly animated about The Usborne Junior Thesaurus. Declaring it a "game-changer" I insisted the school needed to order about 30 copies of it. The response was a bemused:

"Your head must be a wonderful place to be, Batman"

As it happens, it is.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain is one of the most important books I have ever read. In it, she talks about how naturally quiet or introverted people tick. As it turns out, we have super reactive brains.  People who fall in this category have "rich inner personal lives" but also have trouble switching off effectively.  Always and constantly working, noticing things.  I read every single sign I see. I can listen to multiple conversations at once. I am afraid of firework displays. The best way to describe it is Life in High Definition

Sometimes these things are awesome sometimes it makes life a baffling ordeal because it is absolutely exhausting. By four o'clock today I could barely string a sentence together and it was bad news as I had to deliver a Bible story and lead an assembly style thing with the kids. My situation wasn't helped by the fact I got in at one o'clock this morning having been to see Anna Von Hausswolff perform in some hipster bar in Hackney.

But, there's a way to overcome the exhaustion caused by stimulation and that is do things you are passionate about. I was surprised at how I managed to survive the afternoon (I shouldn't be surprised as we had prayed beforehand!)

Reading a half reasonable explanation on how my brain may or may not work has helped me to look after myself. I know that if I'm feeling down for no particular reason, it may be overstimulation. I know not to do too much or face exhaustion. But switching off is incredibly hard, so I'll just write 350 words about needing to switch off rather than actually do it.

11 days until I sing in a choir.