i think i stink too but I'm used to my own smell.

but it took me a long time to realize smelling others' (mostly strangers') breath and b.o. has been causing me background stress and using up my spoons, probably since birth.

especially if someone acts insensitive or straight up assholian, even breathing the same air as them feels demeaning and like defeat.

so I'm finding it hard to take my mask off permanently (or semi-perm) even though i have all the vaccines that medicine allows.

the problem is that i can barely breathe with n95 (or kn95) and it makes everything physically hard. but not wearing it makes everything mentally harder.....

should i talk to my therapist about it? med Dr? or both?

edit: forgot to mention, cologne/perfume, lotion, fabric softener, etc also bother me. certain shampoos seem ok, i don't know why. sandalwood (like east Asian incense) is ok too.

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I think humans sensitivity to odors varies across several orders of magnitude, and it sounds like you are definitely on the opposite end of me who has very low sensitivity and is rarely affected by others odors. Although I do understand how sharing the air with certain unliked people can elicit disgust.

That being said, Im much more worried about your general troubles breathing.

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