The sea lions racing around their glass-enclosed pool was the highlight of my winter visit to the Central Park Zoo. Observing them was akin to peering through a window into my mind, where ideas are racing in concentric rings and narrowly avoiding collisions. Buy Adderall 30mg While some of them tumble around and beg for snacks, others are calm and climb to the top of the rocks and bark. These thoughts—the belly-up peaceful ones, the barking attention-seekers, and the speed racers—all coexist at the same time. I’m never sure which one to focus on. Long after the other onlookers had left, I continued to gaze at the sea lions.
I wish I had first encountered New York City in the zoo. Rather, I had spent rush hour at a grocery store. I was overwhelmed by the sensory overload: bright labels, young children, odors, and several languages. Although the sea lions never clashed, there were plenty of collisions here, including those involving humans and thoughts.
My cognition is hampered by the sensory assault of New York, much like traffic during rush hour. Panic is another back-logger. I’m concerned that the stimulation in this metropolis will occupy my brain space and disrupt my executive processes. With blinking lights all around me, how can I find my way around a new city?
I must keep in mind that my thoughts are not arranged in straightforward layouts and that my mind is not a grid system. I need space for my ideas to run around, sit, and bark. I’ve made the decision to work on maintaining my composure in unfamiliar and awkward situations.
When I feel like my brain is using a stethoscope to listen to Times Square, I am now patient with myself. Running errands is something I look forward to, and I enjoy the craziness of this metropolis. I maintain my own pace in New York City by convincing myself not to freak out when I feel overwhelmed.
