Dyslexia, Creativity & Finding My Way Through Art | My Story

Being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 47 was not the ending of my story—it was the beginning of understanding it.

Three years have passed since my diagnosis, and I am still processing what it truly means. I am still making sense of my journey, the mistakes, the emotional meltdowns, the moments of unfairness, and the constant mix of love, sadness, hope and determination.

Looking back, I can finally see that so many things that once felt like personal failures were never failures at all. They were simply the way my brain works.

My Career Changed – But So Did I

For many years I worked in creative industries as a wig dresser and makeup artist. It was practical, hands-on, artistic work where I could express myself without needing to constantly battle words and paperwork.

Life, however, had other plans.

I retrained and moved into a completely different career, working as a Polish-English interpreter. Suddenly, I found myself in a world filled with forms, academic learning, deadlines, assessments and endless written information.

That was when everything became much harder.

Only later did I discover why.

Receiving a dyslexia diagnosis didn't magically solve my struggles, but it gave them a name.

Dyslexia Is So Much More Than Mixed-Up Letters

Many people think dyslexia simply means reading words incorrectly or jumbling letters.

For me, it has never been just that.

It is how I process written information and how my brain makes sense of the world.

It can look like:

• Arriving at an important meeting a day early... or a day late.

• Reading a letter several times and still worrying I've missed something important.

• Feeling anxious every time an official envelope arrives.

• Accidentally booking airport assistance for blindness while travelling because I clicked the wrong option.

• Catching a train going in the opposite direction.

• Feeling overwhelmed by tasks and constant demands.

• Living with the constant feeling that I've forgotten something.

• Being late despite trying incredibly hard not to be.

• Losing words halfway through a conversation because they simply won't come out.

The list could go on forever.

People often don't see these moments.

They only see someone who appears disorganised, distracted or forgetful.

They don't see the amount of energy it takes just to navigate everyday life.

When Life Hits Hard

Life doesn't pause simply because your brain works differently.

We still lose people we love.

We still experience grief.

We still face rejection.

We still have to carry on when everything feels unbearably heavy.

There have been moments when I truly felt as though I was drowning.

Moments when I questioned myself.

Moments when I believed everyone else had received an instruction manual for life that I somehow missed.

Yet somehow, we keep going.

Sometimes that's enough.

Art Became My Safe Place

People often ask me why I paint.

The answer is simple.

Because when I paint...

My mind becomes quieter.

The endless list of things I might have forgotten disappears.

The anxiety softens.

Time slows down.

Colour has become my therapy.

Creating has become my reset button.

Whether I'm monoprinting, painting with acrylics, sketching or making something with my hands, I stop worrying about getting everything right.

Instead, I simply create.

Art has never judged me for spelling something incorrectly.

Paint has never criticised me for missing a deadline.

Creativity accepts us exactly as we are.

The Power of Creating Together

Something even more powerful happens when we create with others.

I've watched children gain confidence through painting.

I've seen adults who believed they "weren't creative" surprise themselves.

I've watched strangers become friends around an art table.

Creativity connects us.

When we're painting together, nobody cares how quickly you read.

Nobody judges your spelling.

Nobody notices if you lose your train of thought.

For a little while, we simply enjoy making something beautiful.

That is incredibly freeing.

If You Recognise Yourself in This Story

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with dyslexia, have always suspected it, or you're supporting someone who lives with it, please know this:

You are not lazy.

You are not unintelligent.

You are not broken.

Your brain simply processes the world differently.

Finding what helps you matters.

For me, it was art.

For someone else, it might be music, gardening, woodworking, photography or writing.

There is no single answer.

But I truly believe creativity has an incredible ability to heal, calm and reconnect us with ourselves.

Join Me at Happy Polka Art

At Happy Polka Art, my classes aren't about creating perfect paintings.

They're about creating moments.

Moments to breathe.

Moments to switch off.

Moments to laugh, experiment and connect with other people.

Whether you've never picked up a paintbrush before or you've been creating for years, you'll be warmly welcomed.

If you're looking for art classes in Hull, Beverley or East Yorkshire, or simply want a creative space where everyone belongs, I'd love you to join us.

Sometimes, one painting won't change your life.

But one creative afternoon might just change your week.

And sometimes, that's exactly where healing begins. That's why I feel dyslexia and creativity belong together.

Thank you for reading my story.

If any part of it resonated with you, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Your story matters too.