Jamie Oliver took to Instagram on Sunday to discuss his ‘frustrating’ battle with dyslexia in a lengthy post.
The chef, 47, has struggled with the learning condition alongside ADHD since he was in primary school – often outspoken about his way of coping.
And when he spoke to his 9.2 million followers, the chef explained that he has ‘come to terms’ with not learning the same way as others – putting his dislike of school behind him.
Opens up: ‘It’s a constant battle’: Jamie Oliver has detailed his battle with dyslexia in new Instagram post
Dyslexia is a learning disability that primarily affects accurate and fluent word reading and spelling.
It can affect individuals of all intelligence levels and can result in poor or inconsistent spelling and writing – along with potential struggles with following directions or being organized.
Broadcasting a carousel of lengthy text panels, Jamie elaborated on her struggle, beginning: ‘Something I don’t really talk about is the constant struggle I have with words and reading… it’s definitely a love-hate relationship.
Early years: The chef discussed his ‘frustrating and resentful’ childhood with learning disabilities in a lengthy post
‘In the old days at school it made me very frustrated and angry with school as an institution and over the years I have come to terms with not learning the same way as most people, not as a failure but as an opportunity.
‘An opportunity to look at things very differently, I’m older enough now to have some wisdom on my shoulders, only gained by the way, mainly through failures and learning from them and evolving and staying authentic to the original dream and trying again and again and I realize my grammar here is s**t.
“I also use autocorrect, which can sometimes get me in a lot of trouble, but that’s my point…if you know what I’m saying, I’ve done my job”
Jamie went on to detail his struggle during school, admitting that it was ‘almost impossible’ to get information on paper as he recalled that he ‘hated words and read with a passion’.
The chef is known for his cookbooks, having published over 20 books on different cooking styles and cuisines.
But the TV personality admitted he has ‘never written a word’ about any of them, writing: ‘Here I am 46 years old, written 26 books, apparently one of the most published authors on the planet ? No, I’m not showing off, I’m in as much shock as you are…but I’ve never, ever, physically written a word !!
Books: The chef is known for his cookbooks, having published over 20 books on various cooking and kitchen styles
‘I used to write my books on a Dictaphone, then when I could finally afford to hire an editor I dictated them and that’s how I work, it’s more complicated than that because I get easily distracted and my working day must be structured in such a way that I am kept refreshed and not allowed to get bored = fall asleep.’
“But it’s within our gift to try to manage our time as best we can for us to thrive and find the balance we’re ever looking for, right?” When I show people around my office, they often say, what are all these people doing? and I say they are really good at things I’m really bad at! and I’m bad at a lot of things…and it’s all true.’
Jamie ended the lengthy post by explaining his reasoning for going public, explaining that ‘many of us are not brought up to embrace the currency of failure enough’.
Reading: Jamie sent out a carousel of long text panels, detailing his struggle
‘I believe that if our relationship around failure is properly managed, it is the key to a much happier and healthier future. If you personally struggle with something, you might look at it differently and take a different approach.
“Everyone struggles, everyone has a story that can be used to propel them forward or hold them back, and I think it’s the way you choose to look at it that defines which path you take… you just have to find a way around it, do your thing and problem and please dream.’
Jamie has now healed his previously bitter relationship with his school days and concludes: ‘Iwill sign stop saying that I no longer resent school – on the contrary, I believe that our teachers and our schools are our secret weapons!!
‘I think it is more than time for an education revolution, especially in times like this! We need to propagate and take proper care of the seedlings of the future and that will bring to fruition all that we dream and long for for our dwindling economy
Accepting it: Jamie ended the lengthy post by explaining his reasoning for going public, explaining that “many of us are not brought up to embrace the currency of failure enough”
