Green, Yellow, Red Interaction Levels - Use at Home

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Hello all!

I was reading about Interaction Badges used at Aspie conferences. Green were for "anyone may approach and initiate conversation", Yellow was for "only people known to me may approach and I still might decline conversation", and Red is for "Please don't approach me."

I'm staying with my mom for the moment, and we've had some tiffs where I get peopled out and annoyed when she talks to me. So today she was talking to me...about some pretty interesting stuff, I admit, but I COULD NOT DEAL with interaction. So at a lull, I said, "Remember those Interaction Badges I told you about? I think I might be at a Yellow." [Although in reality, probably a Red...but I'm people pleasing and don't want to be rude.] I said, "All of the things you are telling me about are interesting and enjoyable, but I am having difficulty being present and interacting right now. I just want to let you know that, so you don't feel pushed away or unloved. I do love you, and I find your thoughts interesting, I am just having a hard time right now." She said, "Okay! Thanks for letting me know! I'm going to do some writing here soon, so I'll stop chattering anyway!"

VERY different from before, when I would just glare at her and will her to stop talking.

The interesting thing is, admitting where I'm at is making me a bit weepy. I got a lump in my throat when I told her, and my eyes are getting watery as I type this.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this in case it might be useful to the interpersonal relationships of others on this forum.

That is a really good idea. I'd never heard of that before. I used to wish I had a sign like taxi-cabs have that said "off-duty" when they weren't taking passengers.

Thanks! It's turning out to be quite helpful. She'll even ask me what level I'm at now. It's great! Since we were both home for the long holiday weekend, I holed up in my room Thursday morning (peopled out from work), and she said, "I just want to check in with you -- where you're at with your Interaction levels today!" It was great! Then, since I had time to recuperate, I was able to be loving and present for our Thanksgiving dinner, which was, thankfully, quiet and low-key.

Success! I may start doing this with all people I'm close to...