I've already got a space to use ONLY for work, and it's got that association

so I just need to figure out how to get myself into that space...

I want to use specific times for working (like "I'll work from 9am to 11am"), but I know this breaks down if I lose focus partway through, and then I just start beating myself up over how terrible I am and then I give up

the problem is that I've tried everything

not being able to focus or pay attention is a problem I've had for years and years and everything that everyone suggests I've already tried and nothing works

@lizardsquid That's always the struggle for me, too, tbh; usually I need either a looming deadline or something to kick my ass in order to get working on things that need doing

I know deadlines make things harder for you, but maybe the latter might work?

@witchfynder_finder I'm not really sure what the latter one even means?

@lizardsquid Like. Not literally kick your ass, obviously. =P But someone to tell you "Hey. It's time to Do The Thing." when you can't get yourself motivated to Do The Thing.

@lizardsquid A good technique for maintaining focus is to schedule breaks. Give yourself a very specific 10 minute break every half hour or hour or whatever ends up working for you, and stick to the times.

@Fenreliania I've tried that before and it doesn't actually work for me, though

it works for the first hour, or two
but after that point my brain becomes a mess and I can't focus on anything

@lizardsquid It usually also involves taking like an hour break every 3-4 breaks, for that kind of reason.

That said, it could also be due to an attention disorder, or unreasonable amounts of stress. Where does your mind wander when you're unable to focus?

@Fenreliania nowhere, I'm trying to focus on the thing and failing to

@Fenreliania and I'm pretty sure I have some kind of attention disorder, given how literally nothing seems to work

@lizardsquid mmmm that's what I'm getting a lot of the time, right now. Sometimes recentering myself helps, writing out a list of things I need to do and their order so I can just follow it, breaking tasks down to help hold them in my head, trying to work on something else related or coming from a different angle, etc. just like, trying to reframe everything so I don't fall back into a mental static loop. That's what helps me, at least.

@lizardsquid have you talked to a doctor about the issue? my flatmate used to forget her things all the time and could never concentrate for very long and stuff like that, and ended up with an Adult ADD diagnosis and medication for it and it's helped her tremendously