Dyslexia & Relationships With Stephen & Holly

Sometimes, we assume our relationships should be picture-perfect. But if you're anything like me, you'll relate to the unexpected truths that pop up when you share life with someone. This week's podcast episode features my fiancée, Holly, and we dive into the realities of building a creative life together.

We chatted about the things that bring us joy, from making each other laugh to supporting each other’s big ideas. We also touched on the gaps we never saw coming—those moments where you realise you aren’t as flawless or predictable as you thought. It’s honest, a bit funny, and hopefully enlightening for anyone who’s juggling a relationship with personal challenges like dyslexia.

Why We Love Being Creative Together

Some couples binge-watch TV or plan fancy date nights. Holly and I seem to thrive when we’re creating something, whether it’s a new course for the Truth About Dyslexia or brainstorming ways to encourage others. We’ve found there’s a special energy that comes from tossing around ideas and seeing what sticks.

This creativity also keeps our connection strong. We love building on each other’s thoughts. Maybe I’ll come up with an off-the-wall suggestion, and next thing I know, Holly has added a practical twist that makes it work. We usually burst into laughter when we notice how our brains solve problems in different ways.

In many ways, our creative process feels like an adventure. It’s not always smooth, but it’s never dull. We see our relationship as a workshop for new ideas, even if some experiments flop. What matters is that we do it together, combining strengths and figuring out solutions that make sense for us.

Learning to Embrace Imperfection

As someone with dyslexia, I’ve often chased perfection, or at least tried to hide mistakes. But being with Holly has slowly shifted my approach. We realised that if we set our sights on being flawless, we’d never celebrate our little wins. And those small moments matter more than we think.

Holly gently reminds me that not every idea has to be an instant masterpiece. Just trying something new counts as a success. On the flip side, she’s quick to point out my blind spots, which can be hard to hear. But those tough conversations help me grow as a partner and as a person.

"I am shocked to realise I am not perfect. Hard things to hear on a podcast."

It’s funny how admitting that simple truth can feel like a weight off our shoulders. Embracing imperfection means we can breathe easier, focus on what truly counts, and be kinder to each other.

Challenges That Test Our Patience

It’s not all sunshine. We’ve run into a few bumps that tested our patience and communication skills. One big challenge is figuring out how to juggle work, personal projects, and couple time. With dyslexia often demanding a lot of mental energy, I can get overwhelmed or lose track of what day it is.

Holly does her best to keep us on the same page. She’ll nudge me with reminders, prompt me when I’m getting lost in a project, or suggest we schedule a break. At first, I hated feeling like I needed reminders. But the reality is, I do—a little structure can be a lifesaver. She also benefits from seeing my mind map of the week, so she’s not caught off guard when I shift gears suddenly.

We’ve learned we need to laugh through it. If I forget a date night, we joke that my dyslexia hijacked my brain. Laughter can defuse tension and bring us back to what matters: that we want to be here, together, sharing our stories and building toward what’s next.

What Makes Our Relationship Work

We don’t claim to have a magic formula, but we’ve noticed a few things that really help keep us strong. First, we both value open communication. If something’s bugging us—even if it’s small—we try to speak up before it grows into a monster. Holding things in can create confusion or resentment.

Second, we lean on each other’s strengths. Holly excels at planning, while I’m often the dreamer. Neither of us tries to do it all. We trust the other to take the lead where they’re strongest. That might mean Holly organises our weekly calendar, and I jump in when creative sparks are needed.

Lastly, we take time to unwind and just be ourselves. Dyslexia can stir up stress or self-doubt, so it’s great to have pockets of downtime. Sometimes that means reading a book (for her) or listening to a podcast (for me). A little breathing room helps us show up better for each other.

Growing Together, One Day at a Time

When I look at our journey, I see that we’ve grown in ways I never expected. We’re far from perfect. Sometimes I say the wrong thing or misunderstand hers. Yet each challenge reshapes how we connect, making our bond more resilient. We get clearer about our shared goals, and we learn to flex around each other’s quirks.

We also support each other’s personal growth. Holly has learned more about dyslexia than she ever thought possible. She sees that my brain works differently, and she’s adapted, which I appreciate deeply. Meanwhile, I’m learning to be more mindful when she’s stressed or needs more structure.

It all adds up to a real, evolving partnership. We’re not the same people we were a few years ago, and that’s a good thing. Our shared adventures, the laughs, tears, and unexpected epiphanies are all part of a journey we wouldn’t trade for anything.

• We find joy in being creative together.
• Embracing mistakes feels freeing, not terrifying.
• Structure can be a lifesaver when juggling busy lives.
• Open communication prevents tiny issues from exploding.
• Shared growth is the real glue in our relationship.

We dug into these points and more during our conversation. If you’d like the full story—complete with our usual banter—I hope you’ll listen to the episode right here on this page. I promise it’s worth hearing Holly’s side of things, especially if you're curious how we balance creativity with the ups and downs of dyslexia.

And if you feel inspired to delve deeper, check out our range of resources below. We have courses on dyslexia, a supportive Facebook group where you can connect with like-minded people, our YouTube channel, and a simple Dyslexia Quiz that can shed light on your own learning style. We’d love to have you join us in this growing community.

So have a listen, see what resonates, and let us know what you think. We’re all on this learning journey together. Maybe you, too, will discover something new about yourself—or realise your relationship is stronger than you imagined.