Less Is Less

Feeling that tightness in your chest when anxiety hits can be overwhelming. You might try to push it aside and crack on with your tasks, but sometimes it won’t budge. In this week’s episode, our host shares a bracing perspective on tackling anxiety and achieving more without getting in your own way.

This quick-fire rant explores simple tips to shift from stressed to steady. You’ll hear how dyslexia can play a part in these anxious loops and why small changes to your routine can make a big difference. If you’ve been looking for an easy way to dial down the panic, keep scrolling and see if any of these ideas spark something in you.

What Anxiety Means

Anxiety is that edgy feeling that your mind’s racing faster than you’d like. It might lead you to think, “I’m not doing enough, and I’m running out of time.” But have you asked yourself where this feeling really comes from?

Dyslexia often heightens our senses, good or bad. We get hyper-focused or spooked by deadlines, and we can end up in a thought spiral. Anxiety isn’t always about fear. Sometimes it thrives on unhandled energy that’s stuck in our mind.

“When my mind is jam-packed, I can’t help but feel anxious, but I’ve learned it’s just a sign I need to pause and reset.”

Small Changes, Big Differences

Shifting from panic to progress doesn’t need an epic life overhaul. It’s often the little habits that improve how we feel. Ask yourself if you’ve tried any of these lately:

• Taking a short walk (no phone in hand) to clear your head.
• Noticing the anxious thought but not feeding it more energy.
• Picking one task to complete first, then celebrating that win.

Some days, those small steps open up a calmer part of your brain. Wouldn’t it be nice to see anxiety as a passing cloud, rather than a looming storm?

Resetting Your Mindset

When you’re feeling on edge, it’s tempting to distract yourself. You jump onto social media or binge on TV shows. But that usually leaves you feeling worse.

What if you spotted anxiety as your brain’s way of saying, “I need a moment to breathe?” The next time the pressure spikes, try one of these quick resets:

1. Stop, breathe deeply, and notice the present moment.
2. Put your phone out of reach for ten minutes.
3. Jot down a quick gratitude list, even if it’s one sentence.

Treat anxiety like a flare sent from your mind. It’s letting you know there are emotions to tend to—frustration, worry, doubt. By watching how anxiety shows up for you, you’ll see when it starts and how to calm it before it goes wild.

The Power of Dyslexic Thinking

Living with dyslexia, I’ve often had moments of pure creativity or intense self-criticism. That same creative spark can plant seeds of anxiety if we let it. Anxiety can be a sign that we’re not channelling our potential in the right direction.

Have a quick brainstorming session. What refreshes your mind when you’re anxious? If you’re drowning under tasks at work, is there a more visual way to prioritise them? Is there a calmer environment that helps you shine?

The dyslexic brain is built for jumping between ideas. You can use that for good if you find a comfortable rhythm. The key is learning to pause the chaos when your thoughts start running away.

Finding Your Flow

After you’ve found a few tools that settle your nerves, keep them close. Make them part of your week so you don’t wait until anxiety is too strong. You’ll notice a pattern: A calm mindset lets your creativity flourish, and your productivity rises naturally.

Trusting your instincts gives you control. When you know your triggers, you can work around them. There’s a lot of power in recognising that anxiety doesn’t define you. It’s a passing signal, not a permanent label.

• Acknowledging anxiety is the first step to finding your calm.
• Small habit shifts can add up to significant changes in your day.
• Your mind might be wired differently, but that can be an advantage.
• Think of anxiety as helpful feedback, not a life sentence.

If you’re keen to learn more, tune in to the full episode for stories and tips on taking back control. You’ll hear personal anecdotes, a few laughs, and real strategies to lighten your mental load. Don’t let anxiety rule your day—put these ideas to the test and see what works for you.

Ready to dive deeper? Give this episode a listen and discover a new way to handle stress so you can keep creating, building and enjoying your day without anxiety dragging you down.