Cause And Effect

Have you ever scrambled for the reason behind a mistake you made, only to come up empty? On this podcast episode, I open up about my own struggles with seeing the direct link between cause and effect. It’s a common challenge with dyslexia, where we might notice an outcome, but the steps that lead us there can feel blurred or uncertain.

In this chat, I explore why some mistakes don’t seem to stick in our memory and how that makes them so darn easy to repeat. I also give a nod to the brilliant folks who support our work each month, because community really does help us keep going. If you’ve been feeling like you’re missing pieces of the puzzle in your learning journey, this episode might speak to you.

The Challenge of Tracing Our Steps

One of the biggest hurdles with dyslexia is that we’re not always sure how we ended up with a certain result. For me, cause and effect get tangled in the middle. By the time I see the outcome, I’ve often forgotten the early steps that pushed me there.

I mentioned in the episode, “Sometimes in the past I feel like I have not really been able to match up the effect with the steps before it (cause).” This feeling can linger, making us question how to move forward. If we can’t pinpoint what went wrong, how do we avoid doing it again?

Why Repetition Happens

When we can’t see the path that led us to a misstep, we risk walking the same path again. We scramble to remember the details, but our memory feels fuzzy. Some days it’s hard enough to recall what we had for lunch.

In the episode, I explore how this repetition can eat away at our confidence. We want to learn from our experiences, but the timeline of what caused the problem doesn’t sit clearly in our mind. In turn, we feel like we’re relearning the same lessons on repeat.

Small Shifts Make a Big Difference

Despite the frustration, there’s a glimmer of hope. I talk about breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts. Try keeping a quick mental or written note of each step you’re taking when you tackle a task.

• Pause halfway through a task and ask yourself: “What have I done so far?”
• Make mini checklists to notice possible pitfalls before they happen.
• Celebrate small wins, because every correct step is progress.

The goal isn’t to beat ourselves up for missing details. It’s to gently remind ourselves that little sparks of awareness now can help prevent bigger issues later.

Support Systems and Shout Outs

Never forget you’re not alone in this. In the episode, I also took a moment to give a massive shout out to the amazing people who support our work each month on Patreon. Their backing lets me keep creating content that connects with folks who share these learning differences.

Whether it’s a friend who helps remind you of your steps, or an online community that shares your struggles, leaning on others can ease the load. It’s fine to admit you need reminders. We’re not meant to do every single thing alone.

Identifying, Learning and Moving Forward

So what now? I believe it’s never too late to shift our mindset. In the episode, I unpack the process of identifying our mistakes, learning from them and moving forward one step at a time. Yes, we should acknowledge what went wrong. Then, even if we aren’t crystal clear on every single step that caused it, we can focus on the pieces we do remember.

Each attempt to catch our little errors helps us improve. It’s a gradual process, but each small step is worth celebrating—however messy it may feel.

• Pinpoint something small that went wrong.
• Journal about it or record a quick voice note.
• Give yourself credit when you catch the same issue next time.

You may not always have the whole roadmap, but a few scraps of direction are still progress. Over time, the puzzle fills in.

Key Takeaways

• Cause and effect can feel disconnected with dyslexia, but greater awareness helps.
• Repetition of errors often stems from not pinpointing the earlier steps.
• Breaking tasks down into smaller chunks reduces confusion.
• Community support and quick personal notes can keep you accountable.
• Celebrate small wins. It’s what keeps you going.

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to listen to the full episode using the player at the top of this page. You’ll hear a deeper dive into what it looks like to recognise your patterns and find ways to self-correct. Let’s keep making those small steps forward together.