Accepting Your Dyslexia (i Mean Really Accepting It)
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Ever noticed how you can confidently say you’ve accepted your dyslexia, yet deep down it still feels like a battle? You’re not alone. Many of us put on a brave face in public but struggle in private.
This podcast episode dives into that push-pull feeling of showing self-acceptance yet feeling torn within. We talk about the reasons we do it, how it can hold us back and how we can break the cycle. If you’ve been beating yourself up in silence after sharing your dyslexia story, this episode offers insights and tangible ways forward.
The Public and Private Faces of Dyslexia
It’s natural to want to appear strong, calm and happy about dyslexia on the surface. We might smile about our reading or spelling quirks at a party, then feel embarrassed later. That shift usually happens when our minds start a loop of self-criticism.
One key point from the episode is acknowledging that this dual reality is more common than you think. We do it because we want to fit in, but we also fear being judged. When we recognise that this is a shared experience, it lightens the load just a bit.
Why Do We Beat Ourselves Up?
Negative self-talk often comes from old beliefs. Imagine you’re in a group of friends and you misspell something or trip on a word. You brush it off publicly. Later you replay it in your head, convinced everyone saw you as ‘less than.’
That’s your inner critic. The episode highlights how this voice can be persistent, but it also reminds us that it feeds on our past self-doubt. In our conversation, one quote really stood out:
“I say I've accepted dyslexia, but inside I’m still beating myself up.”
Hearing this spoken aloud makes us realise we’re not alone in these hidden struggles. It helps to see that others wrestle with the same internal chatter.
Shifting Toward Kindness
So, how do we turn things around? By practising gentle curiosity. Ask yourself: why do I judge that mistake so harshly? Often, we assume the worst about what others think. This isn’t fair on ourselves.
In the episode, I share a few approaches to stopping that mental spiral and replacing it with healthier thoughts.
- Pause and breathe when you notice you’re criticising yourself.
- Replace harsh language with phrases like “I’m learning” or “I’m growing.”
- Talk with someone you trust, so you’re not alone with negative thoughts.
- Congratulate yourself for every small win with reading or writing.
These steps may feel strange at first, but they gradually shift your mindset. It isn’t about perfection; it’s about self-compassion.
Embracing Imperfection
We also explored the dilemma of wanting to appear perfect. Sometimes we avoid letting others see our weaknesses. Yet dyslexia is part of who we are. Imperfection means we’re real.
When we embrace the messy parts of life, we free our minds from constant worry. The episode offers encouragement to lean into mistakes and see them as lessons, not failures. This can turn a dreaded slip-up into a point of growth.
Practical Steps Forward
'Doing the work' to accept dyslexia doesn’t mean a dramatic overnight change. It’s a slow process of noticing hateful self-talk and transforming it into understanding.
- Set healthy boundaries around negative influences that undermine confidence.
- Seek out supportive communities online or in person.
- Remind yourself daily of past triumphs, no matter how small they seem.
- Keep listening to discussions about dyslexia to normalise the experience.
Action by action, you’ll see that your acceptance moves from surface level to something deeper.
Key Takeaways
- It’s common to be openly accepting and privately unsure.
- Negative self-talk often comes from old beliefs.
- Gentle curiosity helps you unravel why you’re so hard on yourself.
- Being open about imperfection normalises the reality of dyslexia.
If you’d like to hear more of this conversation and dive deeper into the challenges of public vs private acceptance, the full podcast episode is just at the top of this page. Give it a listen and explore ways to be kinder to yourself.
