Dear Readers,
How long has it been, about two months? Well, we’re getting better, at least better than the last time when it was 6 months. Since I know that new years resolutions don’t often work, I thought I’d make a post about what I’ve been up to and what opportunities I’ll try to seize. Some that sound easy but can be extremely hard to do. Let’s jump right in.
Dyspraxia – Or why I can’t catch a ball
For one thing, coming to terms with my dyspraxia, which I’ve had my whole life and I’ve learnt how to deal, telling people about it and accepting help. And I’ve never really had problems with that (being open to other people), but sometimes it’s just really hard and it hurts, especially since I am who I am and I’m trying so hard. Yet sometimes there’s nothing I can do but ask for help. And while I know that it’s okay sometimes it’s just really frustrating. I’ve started University in September and I really love it, English major what else would it be. Then I had exams and I messed them up because again, I was too slow. And again, my brain couldn’t access the information as fast as needed and as organised too. Imagine someone asks you for a fact. Now usually the brain works in the way of accessing information without situating it. But then there’s my brain and there the information is only accessible if it starts at where it originated from eventually getting to the information. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing but in regards to exams not very useful. So it’s not that the information is not there, it’s just not as easily accessible as it should be. I know I’m not really in the position to complain. That’s not what I’m trying to do. What I want to do is spread awareness, since dyspraxia is a disease that was only discovered 30 years ago and often people don’t know what it is. So I’ll try to explain a little. Dyspraxia is a neurological learning disease without “cure”, so you’re born with it and you can’t shake it. But it’s not as scary as it sounds. It doesn’t affect your health. What it can affect are your fine and gross motor skills, your sensitivity to touch, sound or light and your ability to follow through with daily tasks such as cooking, getting dressed and taking care of your hygiene or knowing when it is your turn to speak in a conversation. What is important about this is that it affects each person individually. Some might have no trouble with tying their shoelaces but with following a recipe may turn into a living hell. Or opening water bottles. This can be really frustrating since it seems so easy and since it’s an everyday task that others don’t have trouble with. And if it takes you 3 hours trying to open a bottle until you have a blister on your hand, you could just scream sometimes. But then you remember that you’ve come this far and that you can just ask someone. It keeps you vulnerable but it teaches you a lot of valuable lessons. What it has taught me over the years is to:
- Never give up
- Be patient with yourself and be happy about seemingly small achievements
- Ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness, you’re a problem-solver.
- Be creative.
- Accept yourself for who you are.
That last one has been working pretty well, mostly. Sometimes it’s still hard to. All in all, I’m happy with who I am and still, it can be scary. Will other people accept and help me if I struggle? In my experience, yes if they get proof or if I tell them. It can be easy to think there’s nothing different, especially since it’s not physically visible. But that doesn’t mean the struggles aren’t there. That’s why it’s important to spread awareness. And to let other’s know they’re not alone and they’re understood.
Photography – How to spend more time outside
Last year, I got a camera for my birthday. It was for the America trip I went to in the summer and I’ve been using it ever since. Taking it with me everywhere I go, so I’m not pressured to look for the right moment, I’ll just let it come. And I’ve learnt that it’s best to do things spontaneously sometimes, that gives you the best memories. So another goal this year is to spend more time outside since I tend to enjoy curling up under my blanket and reading or watching a movie. This could be extremely beneficial in a couple of ways:
- It’s good for my health (had a cough I haven’t been able to shake for 8 months :(, oh well).
- Psychological value, seeing this beautiful nature and what it has to offer is just priceless.
- Training for Photography and my lungs, if I go hiking. So that’s a double benefit.
I’m going to have to cut the end of this blog post a little short since it’s getting really late. So I really hope you’ve understood what I’ve been trying to say.
In short, be yourself and spend time outside. Sounds simple, or does it? Maybe I’ll figure it out. If you have any ideas or if you’d like me to do a blog post about Uni or finally a new book review, just say so in the comments.
Hope you are all doing great. Goodnight, morning or whatever time it is wherever you’re reading this from.
Yours
Gioia
mycrazyobsessionwithbooks&english16 