I'm living in a 15x15x15 cm box inside my head! You?

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Wow, that's a perfect description. Thanks!

Blocking out the fear and the noise from the outside is a great way of explaining the high level of exhaustion resulting from time spent in an environment created by neurotypicals for neurotypicals.

It is interesting that most wild animals also avoid urban human environments. I've recently read that some researchers are now "discovering" that lack of access to a low noise natural environment with green plants is a precondition for mental wellbeing in general. I can probably dig out links to the research if anyone here is interested in further details. Whilst neurotypicals excel at cognitive filtering, it seems that at some level they are also affected by the stress of civilisation.

Often it is impossible to change an established environment, say the behaviour at a given work place or the level of external noise in an apartment. If sensory input from the outside becomes a major issue, the only real option is to shift to a different, more suitable environment. This may seem like a huge step that requires a lot of energy, but it can be extremely helpful and life changing.

I've first made this experience in relation to asthma about 30 years ago. I have a number of allergies that are off the charts. As a result I had recurring asthma attacks and regularly required medication. The medical experts back in the day never suggested that radical changes to the home environment can make a huge difference. But I had heard a few anecdotes from people who controlled their asthma by changing their environment and gave it a try, relocated, threw out all carpets, curtains, and upholstery that offered a habitat to dust mites. It took about 4 weeks, and I was symptom free, without any medication. But even now, the asthma is still there, it only takes 2 to 4 hours in the wrong kind of environment, and I get an asthma attack.

Sensory overload can certainly shrink the bubble or box to a depressingly small size. When that is the case, nothing fits into the box, and that state can't be maintained for long.

About 5 years ago I read up about ASD, and it dawned on me that I have a number of pronounced autistic traits, and also noticed that there are further obvious cases of ASD or BAP in my family. I realised that all these years my brain has been running at breakneck speed. I need a wide open landscape and a clear road ahead in order to enjoy the ride. At that speed it's no fun at all trying to navigate dangerous winding roads with limited visibility through the rocky social mountains. Since then I have taken systematic steps to shift to a different environment, including relocation, a new work environment, paying attention to sufficient quiet time, and becoming very selective about the people I spend time with. As a result I feel much more relaxed (relatively, as far as this is possible), and have more energy for the activities that I truly enjoy. Caveat: I think it only works because I have a great partner and child. I don't think I could live in a neurotypical household.