06/10/2026
🤯 Well that explains ALOT! ✨️
In the last few weeks, I have found out I have both ADHD (combined type) and dyslexia.
Since lockdown I kinda started to identify as having ADHD but it feels such a relief to be finally diagnosed after waiting many years and really struggling with things I thought other people could do easily 🙃.
The dyslexia one was more of a surprise, especially as I used to be able to spell, and survived school, college and university without support...and then worked for a dyslexia charity for 6 years! 🤔
I was so self critical and always asking myself why i couldn't do 'simple' things. I thought if I just worked harder it would help...sadly that led to burnout from my desk job and a long recovery. 🔥
It’s made a lot of things over the years make sense though, and now I'm trying to be kinder to myself. ☺️
I’ve been reflecting with my classes this week on how this shows up in class—the bits that make me better at what I do, and the bits that…make life interesting!
The bits that help:
😎 I catch everything. I am always scanning the room. I’ll spot a shoulders-up-to-ears posture, a held breath, etc, I will also spot your fab socks! 😉 and also point out any squirrels out the window/nearby 🐿
😎 unusual cues. Dyslexia means I think visually first. If standard cues aren't making sense to your body, my brain will happily invent new metaphors to help find the one that clicks...sleeping kitten on your tummy anyone/prosecco on your shoulders? 🥂
😎 zero judgment. I know what it feels like to struggle with focus or feel like your body isn't doing what it was asked to do, remember left/rights. My classes are always a safe space to just show up as you are. If you zone out and lose where we are I've got you!
😎 No boring classes. I get bored very easily, which means you won't be doing the exact same repetitive routine week after week. I also love new pilates props! 🤸♀️ novelty is my kryptonite!
The bits I struggle with:
😬 Left vs. Right. Directional cues are my nemesis. If I say "left" but am pointing to the right, please just go with where my hand is pointing! I often just give up and say side 1/side 2. 👉
😬 Did we do both sides? Keeping track of multi-step sequences takes real effort. I often turn to the room and ask if we already did the left leg? Now we know why! 🙂
😬 Admin! Sitting down to updating websites, handling booking systems, and tax returns are almost impossible for me now. I can't concentrate or keep still for very long and get so easily distracted...tips welcome please 🙏
Learning to pace myself and preserve energy is hard to learn at 47 but I'm getting there!
Having the diagnosis won't change anything about how I teach or how much I love doing it, but it does help me give myself a bit of grace when my brain drops the ball. 🧠
Thank you to everyone in my classes for your support this week, always being so patient, moving with me, and laughing with me. 🤩🥰 And if you've read this far you're awesome 😅
Here’s to acceptance of our brains being differently wired and keeping moving! 🌈🥂
