Index

After labelling brought order to my inbox, I found something was still missing. This strategy describes how a saved search gradually became my daily starting point. By gathering key streams into one calm view, I reduced scanning and decision strain without changing software.

When a familiar sleep strategy stopped working, I tried generating random, unconnected words in my head. It helped at first, but something unexpected followed: the words began appearing during the day. This post records that experience, how unsettling it was, and what changed once I discovered it had a name.

The post. discusses a counting strategy to combat intrusive thoughts when trying to sleep. The author subtracts three from 1000, using a gentle rhythm that aligns with their heartbeat. This method helps block distractions, with adaptations like remembering significant markers and patterns to manage thoughts. It’s a practical approach for achieving restful sleep.

This strategy aims to alleviate cognitive load and anxiety by simplifying email management through labelling. Labelling serves as a method to prioritise emails for future attention, rather than purely for organisation. By using consistent, clear labels, users can better recognise tasks and reduce reliance on memory, leading to a more manageable inbox experience.

The author likens their overwhelming email experience to a “living creature” that demands constant attention, exacerbated by a brain injury and stroke. This anxiety-inducing challenge involves managing important messages alongside unwanted newsletters. Acknowledging this struggle is the first step in finding methods to better cope and organise their inbox effectively.

When information comes to you as an image rather than words, maybe in a social media post, it can feel harder to know where to start. One simple approach is to paste the image into an AI tool and type in your questions — what the image shows, what text it contains, and what might… Read more: What’s in this image? (Strategy 150)

My mum sent me this screenshot of something she was trying to work out whether was genuine or not. I wasn’t quite sure what to tell her. It’s the sort of thing that before my brain injuries I could have handled quite well, but now it’s almost impossible for me to sort without help. I… Read more: Is this a scam? (scenario 20)

“A personal explanation of the difference between tiredness and neurological fatigue, drawn from my life after brain tumour treatment and a stroke. Everyday tasks demand extra hidden effort, and that deeper drain of energy doesn’t always lift with rest.”

Proprioception is an essential sense enabling balance and coordination. When impaired, it disrupts basic movements, causing challenges in everyday tasks and reducing confidence. However, the brain can relearn through practice and visual cues, promoting gradual improvements, which although slow, are significant in restoring functional ability and independence.

Rebuilding fine motor skills has meant retraining my left arm through small, everyday actions. From stacking tiny objects on a hospital meal tray to squeezing therapy putty and using the Human Benchmark aim-trainer, these simple exercises have steadily rebuilt strength and coordination, even alongside the bigger task of recovering my leg.

The author describes living with left-sided hemianopia, which affects their ability to see the left half of their visual field. Initially problematic, they now navigate better, though medium-density crowds remain challenging due to unpredictable movement. Low-density situations are easier, while very crowded spaces can actually be more manageable.

The document “Help Me to Help You” serves as a practical guide for colleagues of someone recovering from brain cancer. It outlines the individual’s cognitive and sensory challenges, including attention overload and vision issues, and suggests ways to enhance collaboration. The author emphasizes the importance of clear communication and mutual understanding to improve teamwork.

Every small idea helps. Like Brailsford’s “marginal gains,” these modest strategies add up to steady, real improvement over time.

My brain is in the process of healing and repurposing. For years, people believed that once the brain was damaged, that was that — a closed door, a full stop. But the truth, as we now know, is much more hopeful. The brain has a quiet talent for repair. Through neurogenesis (growing new nerve cells)… Read more: A Healing Brain (Insight 018)

Smartwatches, particularly when paired with smartphones, enhance daily life significantly, especially for those with disabilities or recovering from brain injury. They assist in medication management, communication, navigation, and promoting health. The user emphasizes the simplicity of the watch interface and the gradual mastery of advanced features, highlighting its role in independence and confidence.

I’ve blogged about my sensory overload before (Ch002). Finding a restful place, or getting off to sleep at night, with a bit of background sound — a podcast, some music, or a familiar voice reading a book — can be very helpful, especially when thoughts won’t stop churning. The trouble is, most gadgets seem to… Read more: Making Audio Quiet Enough (Strategy 030)

I live with ongoing sensory overload and hypersensitivity, which began shortly before my diagnosis of a brain tumour in 2008, but I suspect is linked. These difficulties affect many parts of my daily life — from work and social situations to basic everyday tasks. I am sharing this account to help others understand the challenges… Read more: Sensory Overload (Challenge 002)

Brain trauma through surgery and radiotherapy left me with all sorts of challenges related to navigation.

Upon returning to work after illness, I engaged in “reasonable adjustments” facilitated by occupational health and my manager. We established achievable goals considering my new limitations, resulting in a reviewed document monthly. This agreement provided job security by ensuring I wouldn’t face penalties during performance appraisals, allowing me to contribute effectively.

One of the quirks of living with hemianopia is that I’ve had to adopt little tricks to stop myself colliding with people. A favourite strategy is what I call my Lend-central vision. Instead of walking like everyone else, I tilt my head slightly to the left whilst my body continues to walk straight ahead. That… Read more: Lending Central Vision (Strategy:001)

Life and work have a way of bombarding us with tasks that all seem pressing. The difficulty lies in sorting out which of these truly matter. The Eisenhower matrix helps prioritise those tasks and decide which not to do.