In this episode, we talk about the hard struggle of learning to read that many people experience.
We share these deep, honest feelings to show how hard it was for Josiah and Tim and to let you know you’re not alone in your struggles.
I remember feeling small and scared when the words on a page just wouldn’t come together. Simple sentences felt okay, but when it came to a whole book, it was like facing a huge, tangled mess of words that I couldn’t manage. I felt overwhelmed and embarrassed, like I was the only one who couldn’t do it easily.
This is Josiah’s story.
I remember feeling small and scared when the words on a page just wouldn’t come together. Simple sentences felt okay, but when it came to a whole book, it was like facing a huge, tangled mess of words that I couldn’t manage. I felt overwhelmed and embarrassed, like I was the only one who couldn’t do it easily.
I felt embarrassed and unsure of myself especially when I had to read in front of others where the fear of messing up would make my heart race. I knew I wasn’t along in feeling this way but it felt like everyone else knew how to read better than I did and that made me want to hide.
My breakthrough came through vision therapy—a process that wasn’t about improving eyesight, but about unlocking the gap between what the eyes saw and what the brain could process. With exercises like staring at red buttons and merging images, these sessions helped transform my ability to read, turning a source of deep insecurity into a stepping stone for growth.
Thanks to that vision retraining, I went from barely reading on my own to becoming a dedicated reader. I collected my own library in high school and even had a memorable bachelor party where my groomsmen—many of whom weren’t even book people—gifted me books, a tribute to how far I’d come in embracing the world of literature.
This conversation also touches on a broader issue—many adults today still struggle with reading. Whether in school, at work, or in everyday life, the inability to read fluently can be isolating and can even widen divides. It’s a reminder that while the joy of reading can transform lives, not everyone has the opportunity to experience it fully.
We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve ever faced similar challenges with reading—whether as a child or as an adult—please share your story with us. Your experiences, struggles, and breakthroughs are important, and they can help others feel less alone on their journey. Join the conversation in the comments, and let’s build a community that supports and inspires each other through every word.
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