MY ANOSMATIC LIFE

#1: I forgot I had a sensitive nose. Stuff just hits my nose so quick and out of nowhere. Sometimes I’m unable to identify what the horrible smells are or just know exactly what they are which are whiffs of trash, sewage, factory smells, old food, poop, bad breath, smoke, gas, and things that just don’t smell right. Besides that, how awesome is it that I can now ask “What is that smell?” or “You smell that?” It’s like an automatic reaction to smells, especially bad ones. Sometimes I smell things that others can’t smell or there is a delay in them catching the smell a little after I mention it…which has been interesting

#2 I have a heightened sense of smell. As stated, I smell things that others may not smell or delayed. I can smell grass while I’m walking and driving, which I have not smelled in over 17 years. The smell is especially loud when the grass is being mowed. I was amazed when I could smell someone’s bumble gum they were chewing a couple of feet away. It’s interesting. When I was in Philadelphia, PA this past August and walking the streets with friends, I could smell something awful that my friends did not. So, sometimes I smell something and ask others if they can smell it and they’ll tell me “no.” My friends and family now say I can “super smell.”

#3: I remember how obvious and outspoken I was when people and things stink. It’s hard to hide my facial expressions. Nine times out 10 my face speaks before I move my mouth and something comes out. I’m working on it. I was that person who would offer mints or gum or share if someone is musky or something doesn’t smell right. I would want someone to tell me.

#4: I can be a little ruthless about telling people something stinks. I used to let folks know if they stunk and when something stinks and catch myself doing it all over again. It’s just really no filter and I can barely help it. My sensitive nose can’t bear it. I don’t see it as being rude and more so honest and want people to be aware. Again, I would want someone to tell me. Like if your items of clothing smell like smoke, I’m going to let you know because I abhor the smell of the smoke. Sorry, not sorry.

#5: It’s so hard to deal with bad smells that I have to hold my breath at times. My immediate reaction to overpowering smells is to hold my breath. One time in NC while driving my family, an atrocious smell came out of nowhere and hit my nose and everyone else’s when we were in a rural area. It was so bad that whatever was going on should have been illegal. It’s indescribable. I had to keep holding my breath and kept saying “OMG, OMG.” I couldn’t cover my nose cause I was driving because I drive a stick shift. That smell was like a distraction and felt like forever cause it took a while to get away from it. I did get us safely to our destination. It was a smell like no other. My younger brother found my reaction rather amusing. I did afterward when I could catch my breath.

#6: I can hold my breath for a pretty long time. I can hold my breath for a good amount of time underwater. Guess it’s not really a difference in whether I’m holding my breath out or in the water but it’s a been very long time and I don’t even remember since I’ve held my breath cause of a smell. It’s been a pretty common thing while driving or walking in the city. I will literally try to hold my breath until the smell is over.

#7: Natural deodorant is not for everybody, especially not me. At the time I got my sense of smell back, I had been using this deodorant spray that sounded amazing since I picked it up when unable to smell. It smelled wonderful with a citrus scent but it absolutely was not a good deodorant for me and went straight to the trash once I realized it was not working for me. Nobody told me it was not working. Thank goodness, I found out myself. I knew better though after my first experience with natural deodorant but thought the spray was different. Self-armpit checks are so necessary. I’m just glad that I can now do them on my own.

#8: I no longer have to remind people that I can’t smell. I can smell…I can smell it! After being asked if I can smell something, gone are the days of saying the phrase “no” or saying “I can’t smell.” Instead, I am now saying, “I can smell it” or “I smell it too.” Now, I can no longer use having anosmia as an icebreaker response to “What’s something someone wouldn’t know about you.” You have no idea how often I used it. It’s part of my story so guess now I can share that I had anosmia for 17 years but now can smell. It’s always an interesting conversation and another way to raise anosmia awareness.

#9: I got confirmation that I’m pretty good at picking fragrance products with only a description. The majority of my products were purchased when I could not smell them and went off of the name. If it sounds yummy, I believe it smells good. I would also usually go off of compliments, which helped determine what fragrance I wore often. I can confirm that everyone has been telling me the truth about the fragrances I’ve picked lately. But now I’m picking my own after smelling them and couldn’t be happier with complimenting myself.

Last but not least.

#10: I can compliment people if they smell good. This makes me giddy as someone who has an obsession with fragrances. Before I was only able to really compliment folks on how they looked. Now, I can compliment their smell. There’s just something about telling someone they smell good and then also asking them what they are wearing.