Emotional Vulnerability At Work

Dyslexia isn’t just about spelling trouble or confusing letters. It can affect the way you process feelings and emotions, especially in busy work environments. If you’ve ever felt like your mind runs away with you, or that you feel everything a little more intensely, you’re not alone.

In this episode, we explore what drives those strong emotional responses at work and how you can tap into your gifts, even when your brain feels like it’s juggling a thousand thoughts. The conversation is raw, honest, and aims to reassure anyone who’s ever found themselves imagining whole worlds in a single glance or getting stuck in a moment of self-doubt.

Why Dyslexia Feels So Emotional

Emotions can run high when your brain is wired in a way that so many others don’t fully understand. Dyslexia often goes beyond reading struggles. It includes visual thinking patterns, intense creativity, and deep empathy.

When you see the world in pictures more than words, you might take in details that others overlook. That awareness can bring both joy and frustration.

“One of the biggest challenges with dyslexia is feeling misunderstood. There’s a lot happening behind our eyes that others can’t see.”

Many of us feel that weight every day, especially when we meet traditional systems that measure success in a very narrow way. Emotions well up because we care deeply, but also because we’re constantly trying to prove we’re as capable as everyone else.

How Emotions Show Up at Work

At work, you might be the person who sees the big picture first but struggles to communicate it clearly. Or you might sense conflicts before they escalate because you pick up subtle shifts in tone and body language.

All these gifts can become stress points if you don’t have the right outlets to express them. You may:

• Worry that you’re the only person who thinks “out of the box.”
• Feel nervous about speaking up in meetings.
• Get anxious when colleagues mention details you missed.
• Feel overwhelmed by last-minute demands that force you into linear thinking.

People with dyslexia can be amazing problem-solvers. But that doesn’t make working life any less emotional. When you’re constantly juggling tasks that aren’t your natural strength, it’s easy to feel stressed or doubt your abilities.

Overcoming Negative Self-Talk

At times, it’s tempting to give in to the inner critic. In this episode, I discuss why negatively labelling yourself as “not smart enough” or “too disorganised” does more harm than good.

You might find it helpful to break down tasks into bite-sized pieces, so you’re not overwhelmed by everything at once. And when that voice in your head starts complaining, remind it of your achievements. Dyslexia might mean you do things differently, but that difference can be an advantage.

Another way to manage the emotional toll is by finding or building a supportive community at work. Talk to a manager or colleague who gets it, or join employee resource groups. These strategies can help normalise what you’re experiencing, because you’ll see others going through similar challenges.

Using Dyslexic Strengths

Dyslexia’s visual flair can shine at work. Imagine transforming project briefs into colourful mind maps, so everyone sees what you see. You might also excel at tasks like brainstorming, client relations, or big-picture strategy.

When you realise how valuable these strengths are, your emotional landscape starts to look different. You’ll feel more confident speaking up, because you’ll know you bring something special.

Here are a few tips to help you use your gifts:

• Turn linear tasks into visual workflows.
• Use voice-to-text tools to express ideas quickly.
• Collaborate with detail-oriented teammates who complement your big-picture thinking.

Each of these small shifts can relieve stress and help you discover just how powerful your thinking can be.

Practical Next Steps

There’s no magic wand to remove the emotional side of dyslexia, and that’s okay. Emotions can fuel creativity and connection. But if you’re feeling weighed down, try these simple next steps:

• Identify a trusted person at work to share frustrations with.
• Use apps that convert text to speech and vice versa to free up mental space.
• Seek mentors with a growth mindset who won’t dismiss your unique approach.
• Try journalling or voice notes to process feelings instead of bottling them up.

Small changes can make a big difference. The aim is not to strip away your emotions but to channel them in ways that benefit you and your team.

Takeaways

• Dyslexia isn’t just about reading; it also affects how you feel and react at work.
• Emotional intensity is tied to creative thinking and deep empathy.
• Negative self-talk can be managed by focusing on tasks that align with your strengths.
• Practical tools and supportive networks help keep stress levels in check.
• Emotions can be an asset, so embrace them and find ways to use them wisely.

If you want to dive deeper into these thoughts and hear more nuances on the emotional side of dyslexia, listen to the full conversation in the player at the top of this page. There’s so much more to discover, and every insight might spark a new way of looking at your own journey.