Detailed, But Not Detailed

Have you ever had a moment where everything shifts in your mind, like you’ve spotted a glitch in the matrix? That happened to me recently while thinking about my relationship with detail. In today’s episode of “Truth About Dyslexia,” I share how I spotted something surprising about the little things we pay attention to—or completely skip.

I started noticing how I zoom in on certain details while ignoring others, which has often led me into confusion or frustration. In this episode, I explore why some aspects get magnified in our heads while others fade away, and how that affects our day-to-day life. If you’re curious about how an invisible quirk shapes your decision-making, keep reading.

The Elusive Power of Detail

Have you ever found yourself intensely focused on one tiny aspect of a project but unable to see the bigger picture? It’s like we can be brilliant at noticing when a painting is slightly tilted but forget there’s an entire wall to decorate. I realised I’d let these micro-fixations run my life in subtle ways. They made me worry that I was missing something important or that I wasn’t measuring up to other people’s standards.

In the podcast, I described this as a glitch in the matrix because it ripped open my usual perspective. Suddenly I saw my mind actively filtering information, making snap decisions about what’s worth noticing and what isn’t. It was both fascinating and disconcerting. Why do I care so much about some small details but not others?

How This Impacts Our Daily Lives

Think about how many decisions you make from the minute you wake up to the moment your head hits the pillow. There’s so much detail involved. We check our phones, plan our day and juggle dozens of tiny tasks. If we’re not careful or if our brains pick and choose which details to spotlight, we can end up lost in confusion or stress.

When I noticed this, I started to see patterns in how I handle relationships, finances and even personal goals. Small, seemingly irrelevant details sometimes steal my time and mental energy. Meanwhile the stuff that really counts can slip through the cracks if I’m not paying attention. It’s eye-opening but also a bit unsettling—makes you wonder what you’re overlooking.

Finding Balance Between Macro and Micro

No one wants to feel overwhelmed by endless detail or to miss life’s key moments. It’s a tricky balance, especially for those of us with dyslexia or ADHD. Our strengths often come from seeing the bigger picture first, but the finer points can trip us up. So how do we juggle both?

I shared a few personal stories on the podcast about times I accidentally let small details slip, not realising how crucial they were. Other times I locked onto one unimportant aspect and missed the main event. There’s real value in taking a step back, checking if the detail in front of you is truly important and shifting your focus if it’s not. It’s not a perfect science, but awareness is half the battle.

Embracing Your Own Glitches

Instead of beating yourself up for missing details, what if you looked at those so-called glitches as part of your natural advantage? Dyslexic minds can be incredibly creative and intuitive. We spot connections where others see random data. We get random bursts of insight that can solve complex problems quickly. That’s not something to hide—it’s something to celebrate.

Of course, it helps to stay mindful of the brilliant ideas you get and also the small steps needed to bring them to life. On the podcast, I said something like,

“I realised I’m not broken for missing details, but I’m also not invincible if I ignore them completely.”

This approach means you can accept your unique thinking style and still grow in areas that need an extra look.

In a Nutshell

Here are a few quick insights that popped up while exploring this glitch:

• We often fixate on details that affirm our doubts or fears.
• Ignoring important details can cause bigger issues later.
• Balancing big-picture thinking with detail awareness can lighten mental stress.
• Being honest about your strengths and weaknesses helps you move forward.

Curious to hear more? Tune in to the full episode at the top of the page—or wherever you enjoy podcasts—and see if this resonates with you. I promise it’s full of real-life stories, a good laugh and plenty of food for thought.