I have met #ADHD folks all productive and stuff, Getting Things Done left and right.

sungo

@randomgeek I’m not sure there is one tbh and it’s one of the more sad realizations I’ve had. I’m working on a new one at this very second

Erik

@randomgeek Listening to Productivity Alchemy, I get the impression that a common symptom with ADHD is having to change systems regularly. Sometimes I think I might be a bit ADHD, but then I'm immensely thankful not to have that particular symptom...

Random Geek

@sungo well. Yeah. I intentionally used the Brooks-loaded "silver bullet."

But bits and pieces. We'll get there, in bits and pieces.

Random Geek

@edebill my running hypothesis backed up by loads of anecdata is ADHD vs autism etc as diagnoses are largely based on which of your neurodivergent characteristics annoyed the person making the diagnosis at the time.

It's a spectrum? No, that doesn't quite express the variability. It's a gamut. Yeah, a gamut. And we all have a displayable range. And it may not show up the same on someone else's monitor and uh – (flails) – gonna set this analogy down over here and clock in.

Micah

@randomgeek Yeah, I feel like my "system" is just to try to manage and control my hyper focusing a bit.

It isn't a very successful system unfortunately.

Random Geek

@m sure but honestly how many folks with visible disabilities have their lives mostly occupied by managing symptoms?

The longer I'm here and the more honestly I look in the mirror, the more I have to admit that's my life too.

Naomi P

@randomgeek @edebill I think that makes sense

Random Geek

@gannet @edebill oh no

Micah

@randomgeek That...

Yeah. You're right. Me too.

I mean, I'm sure it is internalized able-ism talking but it is hard to see that and accept it.

I mean, I feel like I can (and often do) present myself as being a "normal" person who has their shit together...

But, I think it is fairly obvious just from our conversations here that I spent a massive amount of energy and time managing my symptoms.

Sure, I can walk and talk and see, and I'm not in (much) constant pain, etc... But that doesn't make our symptoms less real.

Naomi P

@randomgeek @edebill I sent that too soon.

Another trouble is that there’s so many possible traits and each of us has them to different extents (possibly varying somewhat over time?)

And definitely the annoyance factor comes into play

Random Geek

@gannet @edebill I'm pleased but also sometimes concerned when my brain pops out an analogy that someone else understands, because it doesn't happen all that often. It's why I reuse the good ones so often.

Random Geek

@m It's why I bristle at "ADHD is a superpower!"

Because that thing that looks like a superpower is also one of the symptoms you need to manage.

It's like you don't register pain, so you start firewalking and ignoring the smell of charred flesh because "I have a superpower!"

bamfic

@randomgeek Meditation. Yoga. Exercise. Tai chi. Nature. Touching grass. Apathy. Laziness. Weed. Boredom. Reading. And aging. Anything to slow down. And fuck productivity, it's overrated.

Random Geek

@bamfic I live in the desert now. Grass is hard to find, and often made of plastic. Is it okay if I touch rocks instead?

Philosophically, I agree with that last bit. Alas, rent must be paid, and the folks who make it possible to pay rent care a lot about productivity.

Kay Elby

@randomgeek The thing that drives me crazy about this is that EVERYONE wants to sell me this silver bullet system.

The algo caught wind of this search at some point so now I get ads for the magic system that will solve all my problems CONSTANTLY. My brain is EXTREMELY susceptible to this and I hate it so much. It's a tiny heartbreak every single time I get sucked into the marketing and then realize it's just the same as all the other things and won't do me any good.

The Psychotic Network Ferret

@randomgeek Yuuuup, it isn't sustainable.

Automate today's hyperfocus before you lose it, so you can move onto the next shiny.

Then automate that before you lose interest.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Stay ahead of the curve, thrive. Fall behind, and crash and burn.

This is why ADHD people hate interruptions and micromanagement more than most.

Funkatron (Ed Finkler)

@randomgeek So hard.

I have started to think that maybe... it's not just about adopting the right system. <:0

Random Geek

@funkatron agreed.

Course I think our widespread search for a system might be its own symptom. Or maybe a coping mechanism. Keep us busy while that danged Void is breathing down our neck.

Random Geek

@nuintari definitely one for the virtues of automation, to the extent that my job duties these days often explicitly involve automation.

But automating ends up being its own trap for my brain, so for myself personally my meta-system makes sure there are always manual steps to hook into and sustain interest.

Funkatron (Ed Finkler)

@randomgeek yes! something we are good at, but driven by fear, and the need to fit into cultural expectations.

I think the root of it is how we feel about ourselves. Being frequently at odds with how society functions is hard to overcome.