so i wore noise cancelling headphones today. specifically, on the bus ride back from school; i was too anxious to actually take them out during the school day, lmao. and one girl asked "why do you have those?" I explained a bit about sensory issues, and then just trailed off with "anyway... I need them". and like. strictly speaking. that is not 100% true. I don't need them like I need food or water. I won't die without them. And unless I'm right near a meltdown, I can usually stay in a loud room as long as I'm *supposed* to.

But I do still need my headphones.

They let me function easier and more happily. I feel so, so much calmer and safer at home... which is when I let myself wear the headphones. I felt the same way when i went to the mall in the city and wore noise cancelling headphones there.

So, like. if you have a Thing you use that you don't technically, 100% ABSOLUTELY NEED to function... keep it anyway. use it anyway.

Wear sunglasses in rooms with too-bright lights, use your cane or walker because it just makes things easier, use your wheelchair when you could probably walk, wear noise cancelling headphones or ear defenders even when you can stand to be in the room without it, use your hearing aids even if you can get by sorta OK without them, keep fidget/stim toys or comfort items around because they make you happier, etc etc etc.

You do not need to wait until you're hurting as much as you can to use the thing that helps you.