I became hyperaware of this (and many other things in the same space) after my stroke; my available attention was severely constrained and for a few weeks during rehab I would do noticeably better on cognitive tests if I kept my room empty. (Going outside was overwhelming.)
I no longer notice the difference unless I’m paying very close attention to my internal state, because I have cognitive capacity to spare now and I am profligate with it, but the effect remains real.
I’ll second this.
I became hyperaware of this (and many other things in the same space) after my stroke; my available attention was severely constrained and for a few weeks during rehab I would do noticeably better on cognitive tests if I kept my room empty. (Going outside was overwhelming.)
I no longer notice the difference unless I’m paying very close attention to my internal state, because I have cognitive capacity to spare now and I am profligate with it, but the effect remains real.