Street lights and other lighting

Does anyine else have a strange relationship with street lights as I do?

Im all for energy saving to help with climate change but im really struggling with these new bright white (LED?) lights.

A lot of the street lights round here are being retro-fitted with the new white light. I much prefer the warm tones of the old style orange or peach ones. Is it just that i like things just-so snd unchanged? The old orange ones rrmind me of being a child. To me, the white light is like the visual equivalent of the sound of a bad chord on an untuned piano. Does that make sense to anyone? It makes me feel uncomfortabke and a bit uneasy.

Since New year, there have been 4 neighbours who have had  white security lights installed outside their homes.The house at the back has lights which shine into our back bedroom. Its not majorly bright but its the colour of the light i dont like. The lights they had before shone in a bit but were a warmer light and it didnt feel invasive.

When we lived in a second floor flat, some new car park lighrs were installed which shone directly into our living room. There was only me who seemed bothered by it (not partner or other neighbours) and i got the council to re-angle the light.

These white lights make me feel uncomfortable. In places like supermarket car parks where they are really bright, the birds are singing at 10pm at night because the lighrs mimic daylight. It fills me with despair. This is messing with our body clock as well as nature.

My partner said he has never heard anyone go on about lighting as much as me. Is it just me?!

Parents
  • Thank you for replies so far.

    Ive learned far more about bulbs than i ever knew.

    I think some people have more problems than me. Im still not sure if i have AS but this is one of the sensory aspects ive considered.

    I also notice that i sometimes struggle wuth the big light on at home. Ive always preferred lamps and put this down to a "female thing" as my partner just comes in and puts the big light on. No lamps. But i noticed at christmas while at relatives. About 15 ppl there and lots of socialising so i had to think. After a couple of hours i felt i was running out of steam. The big light seemed to get brighter and brighter. Like too much input. Of light and sounds. I dont know if thats just a tirednesd thing but ive notice it happen again sincr. When i hsve to concentrate socislly.

Reply
  • Thank you for replies so far.

    Ive learned far more about bulbs than i ever knew.

    I think some people have more problems than me. Im still not sure if i have AS but this is one of the sensory aspects ive considered.

    I also notice that i sometimes struggle wuth the big light on at home. Ive always preferred lamps and put this down to a "female thing" as my partner just comes in and puts the big light on. No lamps. But i noticed at christmas while at relatives. About 15 ppl there and lots of socialising so i had to think. After a couple of hours i felt i was running out of steam. The big light seemed to get brighter and brighter. Like too much input. Of light and sounds. I dont know if thats just a tirednesd thing but ive notice it happen again sincr. When i hsve to concentrate socislly.

Children
  • I absolutely can't deal with having the big light on - lamps all the way!

  • The big light seemed to get brighter and brighter. Like too much input. Of light and sounds. I dont know if thats just a tirednesd thing but ive notice it happen again sincr. When i hsve to concentrate socislly.

    In my experience, sensory overload can snowball. When one thing starts, it will make other things heighten, which by the end of a long period where you are more stimulated, or can't control the stimulus around you, ends up feeling like you have a brain full of electric eels.

    As for being tired, that always makes my senses more sensitive. I was an insomniac, so I've teetered on the edge of reality at times. Moving patterns on clothes, wallpapers, and things like skin. Prolonged periods of anything stressful or intensive make it bad, a lack of sleep makes it far more "trippy" and basically unbearable.

    I think that not enough is made of the sensory stuff, especially for late diagnosees. The kids get quite well schooled on it, that's a good thing, but I think adults need to be taught more. I thought I was going insane before my diagnosis, but after diagnosis, and after talking to the right support worker, I realised how autism worked like that. I now have strategies I'm working into my life.