Suite Relief
Sensory Overload. In her article “Sensory Overload: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments, Lisa Jo Rudy writes, “Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses is overstimulated to a point where a person is unable to cope. It happens when your brain gets more information from your senses than it can process. People who are experiencing sensory overload may feel irritable, anxious, or emotional. Often, sensory overload causes distress.”
I was feeling all of that last week. Well, I have been feeling all that For a long time—possibly since I was a young child. But last week, it became especially apparent to me. I was overwhelmed, irritable, and beset with bad decisions made impulsively; I was speaking my truth, yes—but baldly, badly, and the big ol’ heart on my sleeve and my emotional mind, not to mention my ever-running mouth were fighting for the reins. In contrast, my wise and rational mind was absent or tied up in a closet somewhere.
Holy cow, I can’t go on this way! I decided, and my crazy, impulsive mind did one thing right. I “upped and left” and went on a self-given (Spirit-led?) writing and mental health retreat. It was Wednesday. I found a nearby hotel with suites and breakfast included, packed up my computer, notebooks, and some clothes, called a cab, texted Nathan, and got to the hotel.
Room 602. The first room has a refrigerator, a sink, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a table with bar stools. There’s a desk with all the hookups I need. A large-screen TV that never was turned on. a long comfy sofa. There was a huge window that looked out over a ledge with some construction materials (some construction workers I was startled to see) and a large apartment or condo building opposite. The next room has a HUGE kingsized bed dressed in snowy white, a large attached bathroom, and a wall of a window overlooking the top of Target and Shorewood Hills. This room has a large-screen TV. Good heavens. Another one that will get no play from me.
It’s so clean. It’s clean and uncluttered. My mind just eases looking around. The colors are blue and grey, my favorites. And the QUIET. Oh, the quiet. It is not silent; the refrigerator hums, and there is a hiss of air from the vents. But it is like a caress, this quiet. It is like a blessing. I almost get a lump in my throat.
After putting my suitcase in the bedroom and hanging up my shirts, the first thing I do is set up my writing station with my computer and notebooks. I order dinner, soup, and a sandwich from Panera and write a while. I had invested in a class from Daily OM called “A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self” and I never started it last year, so I decided, let’s do it! I did the first week: excellent. I recommend it. It’s a good course, and it does not cost much.
I chatted with Nathan, who understood my vanishing act and supported my needs, and went to bed early.
The next day I went to Target. It’s right next door to the hotel. I walked around for three (!) hours! Ahhh, retail therapy. The luxury to shop like that, to sort of moodle around, lose track of time, not have any set schedule, or anyone you’re shopping with to hurry you along. It was lovely. I bought a towel, some flavored waters (Smart Water Cucumber Lime I am in Love!), a pocket 24-25 calendar that was on sale, and some pens because Hi, I am Mary and I am a Pen addict. I also bought a romance novel, Beach Read, by Emily Henry, which is excellent! Romantic and, witty, and clever. It’s the kind of romance I wouldn’t mind writing. Anyhow, that was my retreat wingding. I also had to buy a backpack to carry it all in.
Thursday afternoon, I wrote and napped; Friday, I wrote and napped. The hotel suite cradles me in its cool quiet. I occasionally wander downstairs to get coffee, the wonderful front staff are kind and friendly.
I’m drawing oracle cards; they are all perfect, and I am writing about them, thinking about them, and letting the messages marinate. All the time thriving in the silence, I could feel the tendrils of my senses uncurling like shy ferns, and I felt it physically; my jaw was unclenched, and My forehead tension was gone. I didn’t have any headaches. I was eating oatmeal for breakfast and salads and fresh vegetable sandwiches, and my bowels (TMI?) were happy, too. It’s like my whole system was easing, and so was I.
Saturday, Nathan picked me up. I am so proud of him. He won an award and needed a spiffy new outfit, so we went to DXL and got him a lovely new rig, head to toe. He is so handsome. Then, we decided to stop at home to throw the new things in the wash before lunch.
The chaos of the house hit me right away, jarring the vibe that I had developed at the hotel—so much STUFF on every surface. Clutter, color, mess, smells. And I immediately felt overwhelmed. Nathan was taking the tags from his purchases and putting them in a basket to wash. He put on the TV, and there were some sports on, basketball, I think, and I just—said, “ok, I’m ready to go!!” The restaurant, our favorite, the Great Dane, was almost unbearable, with noise and smells amd children squealing. so much, all coming at me.
BUT! That’s the lesson of my Suite Relief Retreat, which I would not have fully grasped had I not done this (as I write this, it’s Sunday morning, and I’m still at the suite; I must stop and pack soon). I must capture this feeling, and I can create this at home. This clean, this quiet. I know what my system longs for now. It will take work and a cooperative husband, which I know I have.
Time apart is healing. If you have the means, I recommend it. It is a tax return well spent.
Shoutout to Springhill Suites by Marriott Madison. You were exactly what I needed. Many thanks.
