
What I’m Trying At The Moment, The ‘Perfection Barrier’ And Sound Waves
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Welcome back to another conversation about dyslexia and ADHD. This episode is all about the real stuff I'm doing with Vanessa to improve our lives, our routines, and how these experiments might help you too.
In the podcast (player at the top of this page), I share genuine updates on the strategies we're testing. It's not just about reading and spelling—it's about finding better ways to manage emotions, distractions, and the day-to-day struggles that come with these thinking differences.
Why These Updates Matter
Many of us with dyslexia or ADHD crave practical examples. We can read all the advice in the world, but it hits home differently when someone's living it out. By sharing these updates, I hope you see it's not always smooth sailing, but small wins do add up.
When we share what works and what flops, we can adapt quicker. These updates are usually our most-played episodes. That signals to me there’s a need for honest talk on what's actually helping people navigate learning, life, jobs, and family.
The Small Experiments I’m Trying
I'm big on tweaking little habits. If something helps me stay focused for an extra 10 minutes, I’ll keep using it. If a certain food leaves me foggy-minded, it’s a no.
Here are a few new things I'm testing:
- Meditation apps to reduce stress when my brain won't slow down
- Short “brain breaks” every hour rather than waiting until I'm exhausted
- Managing background noise by wearing noise-cancelling headphones
One tool that caught me off guard is guided breathing. I used to think it was a bit silly, but it’s surprisingly grounding. About five deep breaths can wake me up when I'm drifting or calm me when I'm wired.
Vanessa’s Perspective
Vanessa is exploring her own path while supporting me. She brings a great balance because she's brilliant at noticing what’s genuinely sustainable, rather than just the flavour-of-the-month strategy. Sometimes she'll say, “Stephen, that's a neat idea, but how can we keep it going for more than a week?”
“Dyslexia is more than reading and writing, it’s a different way of processing the world.”
That statement from Vanessa feels like a mantra we're living by. Every new method has to respect our bigger picture. We aim for something that fits in real life—especially when the laundry piles up, the emails overflow, and we just want a quick fix.
Key Benefits of Testing Strategies
We all love a new trick, but the real value shows up when you keep going. Testing a new technique for a day is great, yet consistency is where the magic happens.
- More Self-Awareness: Each mini experiment teaches me something new about how my mind works. I learn better ways to avoid rabbit holes.
- Less Frustration: It’s easier to manage stress when I can see progress, even if it's small.
- Real-Life Wins: The best reward is feeling more engaged with family, friends, and even work tasks.
If you try these strategies, try to record your progress for at least a week. Note how you feel before and after. The greatest teacher is experience, and you deserve the data to see if it’s worth your energy.
How You Can Get Started
If you're curious about these techniques, pick one or two that resonate. Don’t overload yourself by trying fifteen experiments at once. It's tempting, but that can be overwhelming.
Think about which areas of your life feel most chaotic. Maybe it's your morning routine, or you find your mind wandering in afternoon meetings. Start there. Give one new strategy a week, see how it feels, and adjust if needed. Let it be messy. That’s part of the journey.
We're all different, which means there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Embrace your unique rhythm, whether that’s waking up earlier, taking walk breaks in the evening, or writing lists in colourful ink.
- Carve out five minutes each morning for a quiet reflection.
- Experiment with a 10-minute mindful session during busy work days.
- Try note-taking on your phone instead of on paper, or vice versa.
It’s about finding what clicks for you. After all, we’re just scratching the surface of how powerful these little changes can be.
Takeaways
- Small daily tweaks can lead to lasting impact.
- Consistency is key, so pace yourself.
- Sharing experiences helps others grow too.
- Each new habit is an opportunity to learn.
- Never be afraid to discard what doesn’t work.
If you’re hungry for more details about these experiments, the results so far, and Vanessa’s thoughts on them, listen to the full episode. You’ll hear candid insights, a bit of humour, and real talk about living with dyslexia and ADHD.
When you’re ready, hit play on the episode above. You’ll be glad you did.