Around 11 is when it started. I have a vivid memory of my sister frowning at me for mimicking my Mum swallowing- 1 of the few triggers I had back then. If that’s when it started, it has escalated hugely over the past decade and a half.

Even if tiny living isn’t a fit for you, opting for a more minimalist lifestyle could positively impact your mental health—after all, stress can exacerbate misophonia symptoms. Consider downsizing and/or decluttering your space and your time if you can: a little less to worry about can go a long way.

College can be extra exhausting when you have misophonia. But when it all starts to become overwhelming, take a step back and ask yourself: what am I working for? Journal about it, and evaluate if your efforts are worth what you want out of the experience, whether that be a job or simply knowing more about a topic that interests you. And if you decide that you want to keep at it, know that you’ve made it through hard times before.
You’re a strong misophone, and college has got nothing on you.

For people who experience misophonia, setting boundaries can be essential. Before you know what boundaries you need to set, you need to know your limits.

For people who experience misophonia, setting boundaries can be essential. Which activities drive you to get out of bed in the morning, which feel like obligations, and which cause you cognitive dissonance?

For people who experience misophonia, setting boundaries can be essential. Before you know what boundaries you need to set, you need to know your limits.

For people who experience misophonia, setting boundaries can be essential. Which activities drive you to get out of bed in the morning, which feel like obligations, and which cause you cognitive dissonance?

“Maybe we misophones were more effective nomads, moving on to a new setting every few weeks as seasons and resources changed.” Misophonia means being adaptable and accepting the unexpected.

“Dealing with misophonia is exhausting, and we may need more “me time” than most to recover from the noises and other stressors of our lives.”

Waking up every day knowing that you must prepare to fight your misophonia activators and prepare for the mental combat in your own mind is terrifying. But, that doesn’t mean the strategies to cope with it have to be challenging and dreadful in order to control your emotions in the midst of the overwhelming feelings that come with it.