Glitches In The System - When Reality Startles Your Inner World & How To Deal With It.
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Have you ever caught yourself reacting too strongly when someone taps you on the shoulder mid-thought? It can feel like someone barged into a perfectly crafted world in your head. Today, I’m sharing a personal story about how I shifted my default response to these moments and what it’s done for my day-to-day life.
In this podcast episode (the player is at the top of this page), I explore the dyslexic trait of overreacting when our laser focus or internal visual world is interrupted. I talk about a real-life scenario where I handled a surprise interruption, then realised just how much I'd grown. If you're tired of those moments that shoot your anxiety through the roof, keep reading. This might help you see there’s a lighter way forward.
A Glimpse into Real-Life Learning
It can be easy to read about self-improvement ideas but never put them into practice. The other day, I had a moment that showed me I was actually taking my learnings from the realm of theory into real life. Instead of snapping at someone or shutting down altogether, I stepped back, took a breath, and asked myself: “Is there another way to see this?”
The old me probably would've gone into full-on panic mode when someone barged into my space. But this time, I stayed calm. I kept my focus, acknowledged the interruption, and decided not to let my mind go down that dramatic path of flight or fight. That alone felt like a celebration.
The Overreacting Trap
When you’re dyslexic, it can sometimes feel like your brain is your own personal cinema, filled with vivid pictures and ideas. You might also be hyper-focused, so any external intrusion is more than just a break in concentration. It’s an unwelcome jolt that can trigger stress or panic.
It’s not just about you being sensitive. There’s a lot going on in your head, so it’s natural to feel rattled if someone knocks on your mental door. However, recognising that overreaction is a habit, not a fact, is where change begins. You can choose to respond differently.
“This once change has had a profound impact on my relationships, anxiety, health, and so on.”
That phrase, from the podcast, sums it up. It’s incredible how a shift in your automatic response can create a more peaceful environment for both you and those around you. Over time, you see better connections, lower stress levels, and a brighter mood in general.
Finding a 360-Degree Perspective
I like to say that learning to pause before you react can feel like a 360-degree pivot. You give yourself space to see every angle: how the other person might be feeling, what your initial reaction stems from, and what you can do next.
Rather than letting your reaction play on repeat, treat each moment of interruption as a fresh event. Ask yourself:
- Is this person maliciously trying to irritate me?
- Am I simply startled because I was in hyper-focus mode?
- Could I take two extra seconds to calm my internal dialogue?
That tiny pause is often all it takes to save you from a tidal wave of overthinking. Keeping it simple and logical can reframe your knee-jerk response into something healthier.
Everyday Wins From This Small Change
Let’s be real. Most of us don’t have hours a day to work on these sorts of mindset changes. We’re juggling jobs, family, or just trying to remember where we put our keys. The best part is, you don’t need a major life overhaul to notice results.
Here are a few ways I’ve seen this shift benefit everyday life:
- Less Stress: I’m not in a near-constant state of worry or annoyance.
- Improved Relationships: People around me feel more heard, since I’m not snapping at them.
- Better Health: When I’m calmer, I find I breathe easier and have more energy.
- Heightened Confidence: Each time I avoid an overreaction, I feel a small boost of pride.
It’s about taking what we’ve learned and putting it into practice one moment at a time. That cumulative effect is powerful. Over a month or two, you’ll notice the difference in how you feel about yourself and how others respond to you.
Of course, we’re all works in progress. Slip-ups will happen. What matters is getting back on track and seeing the improvements as evidence that you have more control than you once realised.
- It’s not about perfection.
- It’s about noticing patterns.
- It’s about celebrating every tiny step.
If you can shift just one reaction a day, then you’re already doing this right. Those small wins add up quicker than you’d think.
Key Takeaways
- Dyslexic minds can feel invaded when interrupted in hyper-focus mode.
- Overreacting is often a habit that can be changed with practice.
- A 360-degree perspective helps you pause and see a bigger picture.
- Real-life application builds confidence and fosters personal growth.
- Less stress and stronger connections are a big payoff.
When I realised how my calm response affected everyone around me, it had a domino effect. That one improvement in handling distractions gave me hope that other parts of life might also be tweaked and smoothed out. It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about trusting that each small step does matter.
Ready to dive deeper into how you can make this change in your own life? Press play on the full episode (remember, the player is right up top) to hear more stories, tips, and honest reflections. And if you find this helpful, I’d love a quick review or share.
You’ve got this. Keep experimenting, testing new approaches, and noticing those daily little wins. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.
