Way too many times, I've been asked "what's your favorite band or food to eat?"

I could never answer these questions because I don't have them. Everything is dependent on context.

I mean, do I ask parents who their favorite kid is?

This isn't indecision or avoidance – it's a form of contextual thinking that's second nature to me. 

And as it turns out, this flexibility might be one of the most valuable skills a dyslexic mind can possess in today's changing world.

My Ambivert Awakening

For years, I thought I had to choose sides.

The world seems obsessed with categorizing people as either introverts or extroverts. 

As someone navigating professional spaces, I often felt pressure to "perform" extroversion – to be louder, more assertive, more present than felt natural.

Truth is, I deeply value solitude and independence. I recharge in quiet spaces, with my thoughts and projects. 

Yet simultaneously, I thrive in social settings, connecting with people and building relationships. 

For the longest time, these felt like contradictions I needed to resolve.

It wasn't until my 30s that I discovered there was a name for people like me: ambiverts.

What’s an Ambivert Anyway?

An ambivert is someone whose personality has both introverted and extroverted qualities, falling somewhere in the middle of this spectrum rather than at either extreme.

Unlike pure introverts or extroverts, ambiverts can draw energy from both solitary and social activities, depending on the circumstance.

We exist in the flexible middle ground, able to adapt and shift based on what the situation requires. 

Sound familiar? This pattern-switching ability mirrors the way many dyslexic minds naturally work – seeing connections across contexts, adapting to environments, and finding creative workarounds when conventional paths don't fit.

The Hidden Strength Most LEX Don't Recognize

Many dyslexics develop an extroverted mask to cover their challenges. Think about it:

• The sales professional who talks fast and loud to control conversations, afraid that a pause might expose their processing needs
  

• The entrepreneur who maintains a hyper-energetic persona because they believe their natural rhythm isn't "enough"
  

• The manager who overwhelms meetings with ideas rather than allowing space for the deeper, more thoughtful contributions they could make

This performance costs energy – energy that could be directed toward your actual strengths. 

After 30, with more responsibilities and less time to recover, this jam becomes too exhausting to maintain.

The hidden truth? Ambiversion is good for dyslexic minds. It allows you to:

• Read rooms more effectively, noticing subtle cues others miss

• Form authentic connections rather than performative ones

• Conserve energy by adapting your approach to each situation

• Shift perspectives when problem-solving, rather than staying locked in one mode

Consider these as practical advantages in real-world situations where single-speed thinkers get stuck.

What AI Can't Do 

In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, there's growing anxiety about what remains uniquely human. 

AI excels at consistency, but can't read the room and adjust on the fly like you can.

It misses subtle social cues and emotional undercurrents dyslexics naturally pick up on.

The Rise in Trust

When an ambivert walks into a room, they often assess the energy, adapt their approach, and engage in a way that matches the moment. 

This intuition unconsciously developed through years of navigating a world that wasn't built for your mind. This natural flexibility becomes most powerful when you stop performing and start trusting your instincts.

When you're relaxed and authentic, your unique perspective emerges without the hesitation that comes from trying to fit a mold.

AI can mimic conversation, but it can't authentically experience the room and respond with genuine human intuition. That’s all you.

Ambivert Alert: Small Shifts, Big Impact

So how do you leverage this natural advantage? Start with these small but powerful shifts:

1. Notice when you're "performing" versus flowing: Performance feels draining; flowing naturally feels responsive. Check in with your energy levels during social and professional interactions
   

2. Create transition rituals: Before meetings or social events, take 30 seconds to assess what mode will serve you best. This isn't about being fake – it's about intentionally choosing which aspects of your authentic self to bring forward
   

3. Reject false choices: When someone asks if you're an introvert or extrovert, embrace the power of "it depends." Use it as an opportunity to explain your contextual approach
   

4. Value your natural rhythm: Notice when you need quiet processing time versus collaborative energy, and build your schedule to honor both
   

5. Watch other ambiverts: Look for people who move seamlessly through different social and professional contexts. What can you learn from their flow?

Pony Up

The world doesn't need more one-trick ponies.

Reading rooms and shifting gears naturally isn't just how you cope – it's your edge in today's world.

Your dyslexic mind has been training for this moment all along.

And now that you're over 30, you've got the experience to make it count.

Use what you’ve got!