Feels Good? Does That Mean It Is Good?

Ever feel like your emotions are charging about, much like an elephant in a makeshift buffet queue? The dyslexic mind can run wild, making it easy to get lost in spirals of doubt or confusion. This episode tackles those chaotic moments and offers ways to recognise your feelings before they toss you around.

Today’s chat focuses on how to understand what’s going on when you feel overwhelmed. It also digs into why our dyslexic wiring can sway our emotions more easily, and how to start practising awareness. You’ll hear real stories and examples to help you see you’re not alone in this. The goal is simple: find gentler ways to handle emotional swings, use your natural strengths, and feel more at ease before life’s waves knock you down.

Why Emotions Run the Show

Dyslexia isn’t just about letters jumbling up on a page. It’s also about how our brains process the world around us. Sometimes we feel pushed and pulled by thoughts we don’t fully understand. One minute we’re steady, the next we’re spinning. Figuring out why that happens is the first step to dialling it down.

When we talk about dyslexia, we often focus on reading or writing. But our unique wiring affects so many other areas. Emotions can feel brighter and stronger. A tiny piece of criticism can feel like a thunderbolt, while someone else shrugs it off. Recognising this is huge. It means it’s not your fault—your brain might be dialled up louder than others.

Spotting the Triggers

Before you can calm the chaos, you need to spot what sets it off. Is it a rushed deadline, a meeting with your boss, or a conversation with family? Notice the patterns. Maybe your heart races when you hear someone mention reading aloud. Or your palms sweat if you’re asked to do mental arithmetic.

Try a simple awareness technique:

• Take one slow, deep breath when you sense pressure building.
• Ask yourself: “Why am I feeling this? What exactly triggered me?”
• Give it a name. “I’m anxious about messing up.” “I’m stressed because I’ve got too much on.”

Anything that brings clarity to a swirl of emotion can help. It’s like switching on a light in a dark room.

Learning to Pause and Listen

In moments of overwhelm, pausing feels unnatural. You might think, “I don’t have time to slow down!” But even a few seconds can help you reconnect with what your mind is trying to say.

When you pause, you let your initial emotional rush settle. It stops that elephant from knocking over every dish on the buffet table. In that pause, you can remind yourself that what you’re feeling is temporary, even if it’s intense.

From the podcast conversation, there was a powerful moment:

“Ever let your feelings take over like an elephant running this buffet table? The dyslexic brain can be a beast. How can you start practising understanding?”

This line hit home. Practising understanding isn’t just about empathy for others—it’s also about showing yourself kindness. Think of it as hitting ‘pause’ when the emotional wave comes. It won’t solve everything instantly, but it can stop you from being thrown around.

Rest and Play to Soothe the Brain

We often overlook restful activities and play, but they’re vital for dyslexic minds. Too much tension can ramp up anxiety, which in turn breeds more tension. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves you exhausted. If you give yourself space to recharge, your mind gets a chance to recalibrate.

Here are a few ideas that might help you unwind:

• Mindful Movement: A quick walk or a stretch can do wonders. It slows racing thoughts and refuels your concentration.
• Creative Outlets: Picking up a paintbrush, doodling, or journalling can redirect nervous energy.
• Short Breaks: Even five minutes away from a screen can calm mental clutter.

Small breaks throughout your day provide mini-resets. Dyslexic brains sometimes work like a supercomputer that’s juggling too many tasks. You need to close some tabs before it crashes.

Building a Support Network

It’s easy to think you’ve got to deal with emotional explosions on your own. But you’d be amazed at how much sharing can help. Friends, family, or colleagues might be facing similar challenges, even if they don’t know your exact struggles.

A simple “I’m having a tough time staying focused” or “I’m feeling unsettled” opens the door to support. It also reminds you that many people fight battles you can’t see from the outside. Speaking up is a brave step, and it often leads to empathy and understanding.

You can also look for online communities, local groups, or a mentor. When you find folks who’ve walked a similar path, you get to swap stories and tips. Sometimes a different perspective is all you need to see your situation in a fresh light.

• Avoid Self-Blame: Recognise your triggers. Accept that your mind might work in a unique way.
• Stay Curious: Ask questions about yourself. Why am I anxious? What small step can I take?
• Share the Load: Talking with others reminds you that you don’t have to carry everything alone.
• Practise Awareness: Nothing fancy—just short pauses to gather your thoughts.

Understanding a dyslexic mind takes patience. It helps to see each challenge as an invitation to learn more about how you function. Give yourself time to rest. Give yourself room to play. And don’t hesitate to let people know how they can help.

I hope that gives you a taste of what we covered in the latest episode. If this resonates with you, have a listen and find more ideas for navigating the emotional ups and downs that come with dyslexia. You’ll find the podcast player at the top of this page. Press play whenever you’re ready and dive deeper into how to keep your emotional elephant from stampeding your life.

• Identify emotional triggers and follow them back to their source.
• Practise a pause when you feel overwhelmed. It’s a lifesaver.
• Use creativity or movement to break stressful cycles.
• Lean on friends, family, or supportive groups for help.
• Embrace your dyslexic wiring—and recognise it’s part of your uniqueness.

Ready for more insights and real talk about dyslexia? Click the play button above and tune in to the full episode. Your journey to better understanding starts with that first moment of curiosity.