I do feel I've become more sensitive with lower sensory tolerance as I've got older. Yet, I know I'm also choosing quieter environments on purpose, so I'm much less used to the noisier places.
The lockdowns have really highlighted this for me. My local shops are small village shops and that was fine for me in the past to visit, but since the lockdowns, I've noticed my sensory issues are more pronounced.
Like others have said, when I was younger I could tolerate clubbing and even loved it! I always found shopping malls difficult, but somehow the lower lights of clubs helped. The music was so loud that I often didn't need to worry about picking up individual sounds or variations, it was a constant loud. Lower lights = can worry less about literally being seen, which helped with social worries. I can kinda see how I managed it... way back when...!! (Had no clue I was on the spectrum at that time, either.)
On the flip side, I'm not sure I want to get used to more stimulating environments again! I want to be able to tolerate more, but also lack the motivation to put myself through the process of getting used to it!!
Our brains definitely do change with age, though - partly development, partly life experiences, environment, nutrition, etc. So it wouldn't be surprising to notice many differences over time.
I do feel I've become more sensitive with lower sensory tolerance as I've got older. Yet, I know I'm also choosing quieter environments on purpose, so I'm much less used to the noisier places.
The lockdowns have really highlighted this for me. My local shops are small village shops and that was fine for me in the past to visit, but since the lockdowns, I've noticed my sensory issues are more pronounced.
Like others have said, when I was younger I could tolerate clubbing and even loved it! I always found shopping malls difficult, but somehow the lower lights of clubs helped. The music was so loud that I often didn't need to worry about picking up individual sounds or variations, it was a constant loud. Lower lights = can worry less about literally being seen, which helped with social worries. I can kinda see how I managed it... way back when...!! (Had no clue I was on the spectrum at that time, either.)
On the flip side, I'm not sure I want to get used to more stimulating environments again! I want to be able to tolerate more, but also lack the motivation to put myself through the process of getting used to it!!
Our brains definitely do change with age, though - partly development, partly life experiences, environment, nutrition, etc. So it wouldn't be surprising to notice many differences over time.
