ignoring certain sounds

[alloftheabove]

Hi. This is my first post here on the forums, although I have been reading Steve and Erin's blog posts for a month and a half.

I have a certain problem that I know limits my effectiveness, as well as how I interact with other people. I have a problem with sounds. Sounds like open-mouth gum chewing, gum popping, etc. I've been trying to get over it for a month now, as I am a high school senior, and I need to get over it if I want to be able to work with other people proficiently and politely. I've went through my thought paths on why it annoys me, but I end up running circles around how not to let it bother me. Does anybody have any ideas how I could figure out my solution to this problem?

[fainaent]

One thing that might help is to try and 'remove' yourself from the situation when it happens... Imagine yourself as an observer to the situation, looking down on yourself. Try to notice the sounds as something that's just happening, but not *to* anyone in particular. I find that this basic technique can help me not be bothered by certain feelings, although I haven't tried it with regard to sounds...

-Zachary

[alloftheabove]

I will try this in school today, thanks!