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Welcome to my blog!

You may have guessed from the title of this blog I’m dyslexic and can never tell the difference between the words Diary or Dairy – when reading them or writing them. So why have I decided to create this blog I hear you ask? Well like many others out there (it might even be you reading this) I wasn’t diagnosed as dyslexic until the grand old age of 21 and just about to leave university, now in my mind 30’s I’ve decided that there’s nothing I can do about, I’ll never be the best speller or reader or have confidence to express my views in social spaces. I’ve spent many days and night struggling to do what comes normal to others, and feel at times it holds me back. I’ve experienced many different emotions from anger, fear and weakness through to full on anxiety attacks. I always try to hide how I’m feeling, put a mask on so others don’t see this side of me – well now I’ve decided it’s time to face this head on and write about it – YES write! And not in a private journal but a public space...
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Recent posts

World Book Day

So it's world book day - but what does that mean for dyslexic readers? If your like me your do anything to avoid reading at the best of times, especially if its for enjoyment. I have many books lying around the house that have been brought for me as a gift 'your love this one, I just couldn't resist getting it for you' , well thanks!! 😒 Don't get me wrong, the thought of sitting down snuggling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate and getting immerse in a story or discovering new facts sound great, especially with this freezing weather we are having in the UK right now. But the problem is the frustration, trying to maintain the information in my head, while struggling to read the next word, losing the line I'm reading or the whole page just merging into one. This of course doesn't mean I don't read books, but its very much on my terms and the last few years that has meant reading 2 books a year (mainly when on holiday), and being proud that I'...
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See dyslexia differently

What a great video the British Dyslexia Association have produced! I can identify with 'trying to hide from other people the difficulties completing tasks others find easy' . Its great to have a visual/ video like this as it not only helps others to understand what its like to be dyslexic, but also after I watched it, it made me feel a bit better about the every day struggles I have 😊.
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Lists

I love writing lists, every Thursday night I come home and sit down to write my list for the weekend. Depending on how that day has gone I might do this while drinking a fine cup of Earl Grey tea or a nice cold beer! I start with looking at my list from the last week, there are some things which are always recurring – clean the house, iron, food shop etc. Then I add what I didn’t get round to doing the previous week, followed by what needs to be done this weekend. I see a list as having multiple uses: It helps me to remember the things I need to do. Helps me plan and organise my weekend, otherwise I think I would put off doing certain things until it’s late on a Sunday night and I’ve run out of time. Motivates me - I enjoy looking at a list, deciding what to do next, going away and doing it -then going back and ticking it off. That’s the buzz, drawing a line through the item and putting a big tick at the end! In fact I’d go as far as saying I think I have an obsession with lis...
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Dyslexic moment #1

Just had what I'm now going to refer to as a dyslexic moment - for those of you who are dyslexic I'm sure your know what I mean! But basically it's when you are suddenly confronted by information that your brain can't process quickly enough - and you kind of freeze or have a mind blank, although you try to style it out. This often happens in the most every day event/ occasion - I'm not talking about huge amounts of information, it's often just something so simple that can throw you. So my dyslexic moment today....on the phone trying to make an appointment with the doctor. Receptionist: 'yes tomorrow at ten to ten' Me: 'that's great thanks' Receptionist: 'what's your name? how do you spell your last name?' Now this is where my moment happens, I'm trying to write down on a piece of paper the appointment time, but ten to ten - I'm struggling to visualise it (I'm differently a visual learner and unless I can see i...
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Tidying up

On this very wet and cold day I've decided to continue my house detox - starting with the draws in the kitchen. Didn't know I owned so many travel mugs and flasks!  I do have to admit that this tidy up is becoming a bit of an obsession, but I'm enjoying the process and it doesn't involved any writing - an activity that does that is one I truly enjoy! Its also made me realise I need to make use of all these travel accessories - so next is to plan a few long weekends away. You might have guessed that I'm feeling much more positive at the moment, this year my dyslexia has been taking over a bit (along with other things), but I'm trying to focus on the things I enjoy doing and getting back to hobbies I've not touched in a years. It really is about getting the balance right - the hard bit is maintaining it!
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Open plan offices

I have to question, who come up with the idea of open plan offices? It was obviously someone who: Didn't have any learning difficulties or physical disability Thought it would improve the working environment  Was trying to getting more desks onto the space Didn't trust their staff!   There's nothing worst than sitting row upon row of desks, people either side of you, looking at either the back of someone's head or the back of the computer screen in front of you. How does this improve anything? It just makes you act or feel like a robot or like your working on a production line. Its cold and unfriendly. You can't make it personal, and I don't mean have photos of your cat all-round the work space! I mean it's hard to adjust the working area as you have very little space. If you need to have lists or useful notes pinned around your desk- there on full view of other colleagues. No harm it that, other than they might find the odd word I have written o...
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House detox

Haven't posted for a few weeks as I've been busy - decided to have a clear out of cupboards , draws and all storage. Although this has taken a lot longer than expected I'm pleased to finally get around to it. Nothing like a good tidy and throwing away stuff you no longer need/use - basically I've detoxed my house and the process of doing so has cleared my mind. Its been a funny year so far, lots of reflection, not quite feeling settled and a great sense of how vulnerable and fragile life is. This clear out not only feels like a detox but also the action of doing it is very therapeutic, which is just what I need right now. I've come across all sorts of things I'd forgotten I had, found items which bring back some great memories, and re-arranged storage and cupboards. I've also found some notes and handouts from a mindfulness course I attended a few years ago. I had completely forgot about it, although when my anxiety is bad or I'm getting panicky I do us...
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