Dyslexia & Duality With Jimmy Franklin
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Have you ever felt like your mind races so fast it’s hard to keep track? That’s often how dyslexia works. It can be a superpower or an Achilles heel. In this episode, I’m joined by Jimmy Franklin from New Jersey. We talk about the ups and downs of dyslexia, the odd sense of being on both ends of the spectrum, and some surprising facts that popped up along the way.
This chat warms my heart because we dive into real experiences—those days when your brain feels like it’s turned off, and the bright moments when you can’t stop thinking. We also laugh about a fascinating titbit from Japan that Jimmy discovered. Let’s jump in.
The Ups and Downs of Dyslexia
We start by comparing personal stories about what dyslexia can look like in everyday life. Sometimes it’s the simple things—like taking forever to figure out which bus to board. Other times, it’s being randomly brilliant at one subject but feeling lost in another.
It’s not just about mixing letters or forgetting how to spell certain words. There’s a deeper level where you question how your brain is wired. You can feel incredibly sharp one moment, then foggy the next.
Life on the Bell Curve
Jimmy brought up the idea of duality, or being on either side of the bell curve. Dyslexics can swing between moments of extreme clarity and times when everything feels murky. This dual nature can be confusing.
We often try to push ourselves to be ‘normal,’ but sometimes normal isn’t the target. Maybe it’s about finding tools and strategies that help you embrace both the good and the tricky sides. Some of us are awesome at creative thinking, while we struggle with day-to-day tasks. That’s okay.
Relatable Dyslexic Days
We all have those tired days. It’s when your mind feels sluggish, you can’t read well, and your motivation decides to hibernate. That might also be the day someone asks for a detailed spreadsheet. You just want to say, “Not today!”
But it’s good not to beat yourself up. We talked about how important it is to celebrate small wins. Got through your to-do list? Great. Felt proud of a creative project even if the numbers didn’t add up? Brilliant. Keep going.
A Surprising Fact from Japan
While chatting, Jimmy shared a fun fact about how dyslexia is approached in Japan. He found it during his own research. It blew my mind because I’d never heard it before. It was a reminder that dyslexia isn’t limited to one culture or language—we see it worldwide. The more you discover, the more you realise there’s a community feeling that can be comforting anywhere you go.
“Sometimes I wake up feeling like my mind’s in a million places at once,” Jimmy said, “but that’s when I realise I’m seeing the world differently.”
I love that viewpoint because it highlights the unique lens many dyslexics use to interpret the world.
Putting Strategies into Practice
After talking about the high and low days, we shared ways to get through them. If you’re looking for tips, consider these steps:
- Set micro-goals: Break tasks into smaller chunks. It’s easier to tackle bite-sized pieces first.
- Lean into your strengths: If you’re brilliant at visual thinking, map out your ideas before writing them down.
- Make time for rest: Give yourself recovery time when your brain’s feeling fuzzy.
- Celebrate progress: Acknowledge what you’ve achieved at the end of each day.
Nobody said you have to power through everything 24/7. Accepting your own pace can do wonders.
We also circulated back to that Japanese fact, discussing how every culture has its own perceptions of dyslexia. It might vary in approach, but the core understanding is consistent: our brains are unique, yet we can still shine bright.
Key Takeaways
- Dyslexia appears in different forms each day.
- Duality means you can be both amazing and stressed in the same hour.
- Smaller goals help you beat overwhelm.
- International perspectives remind us this isn’t a local phenomenon.
- Accepting your wiring brings confidence.
If you found these lessons helpful, you’ll love our signature programme: The Confident Dyslexic. It’s built by dyslexics, for dyslexics, offering practical tips and insights. You can check it out here:
And that’s just a slice of our conversation! There’s plenty more in the full episode, including more of our personal stories. Make sure to listen to the entire chat using the podcast player at the top of this page. Your dyslexia might be your greatest asset—embrace its quirks and keep exploring new ways to thrive.
