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Abstract

d="ba97">I’ve had a side gig going for many years now as a psychic. Or, more accurately, as a channel.</p><h2 id="aeae">The Last Word</h2><p id="6cbb"><b><i>Hello.</i></b></p><p id="c94e">Ha, you made me laugh.</p><p id="4e6b"><b><i>Well, you were the one who said you were a channel. I thought I’d pop in and say hello.</i></b></p><p id="5ca7">Hi, yourself. We haven’t done this in a while.</p><p id="1a30"><b><i>No, you have been ill. We thought we’d give you an opportunity to heal, as it were.</i></b></p><p id="6254">What do you mean, “as it were”?</p><p id="4b02"><b><i>Healing takes time, especially the older the individual is. You have noticed in the past week that you are able to put your socks on even more easily than before you were sick. You are able to stay up longer hours and are taking an interest in your former activities.</i></b></p><p id="a7d2">Yeah, unfortunately I tanked on NaNoWriMo. Though I still have two days to write before the end of November. I put a good 23,200 words into my third book. I want to finish it off at 30,000 words which is another two or three chapters. I need to go back to the second book and finish that one off with an additional 17,000 words. Then, re-writes on all three books and then think about either turning it over to Dennis to see if he is willing to spend the time editing them or think about hiring an editor to do the job, which I’m thinking would cost a good $3,000 or so which we don’t have. I also need to get up to speed with Canva, or Publisher or re-learn Illustrator to produce some covers. Then, I need to publish the books at KDP and see what happens. I need to drum up some interest in those FaceBook groups I joined and get my author’s website up and running. Anyone who has subscribed to my articles here at Medium will be on the list of folks I approach with book deals and announcements. By the way, if you want to get on that email list <a href="https://pmevanosky.medium.com/subscribe">please subscribe here</a> or email me at <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. I suppose I am feeling better. I’ve got a lot to do.</p><p id="6871">Oh, on a less fun note, I need to do our family accounting for 2022. I’m figuring it will take me a couple of months. That means I need the laptop set up next to me with another cordless keyboard to compare Quickbooks 2021 on the laptop with Quickbooks 2022 on the PC. I forget how I classify things from one year to the next. This is the year I have spent money on myself towards publishing books. Can I count those things?</p><p id="3db4"><b><i>Yes, we would say you might create

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a publishing classification for yourself. If your accountant wishes to take those expenditures and you use what you earned as a Medium writer this year to offset that would be up to her.</i></b></p><p id="ddb3">But does $48 as income from Medium even come close? I don’t think it counts as more than a hobby.</p><p id="5184"><b><i>Well, is this why you were thinking about side gigs? Perhaps you should concentrate on income-producing side gigs.</i></b></p><p id="b56f">Why are you raining on my parade?</p><p id="426a"><b><i>That’s what you pay us for, though the IRS would never, I guarantee, in a million years count that toward a business expenditure.</i></b></p><p id="afec">Well, I don’t pay you, so there.</p><p id="20eb"><b><i>You do understand what I mean, though.</i></b></p><p id="28fb">Yes, I do. Hey, is anybody going to be remotely interested in this piece?</p><p id="9e6d"><b><i>Time will tell.</i></b></p><p id="a68a">In explanation, <a href="https://medium.com/@pmevanosky/list/the-last-word-where-spirit-speaks-c75cbb677e29"><b><i>The Last Word</i></b></a> is a short conversation between my guide, Seth, and myself that generally has something to do with whatever I am writing about. I’ve started a list of those articles I write where it appears. I hope you enjoy it. I enjoy having Seth and others in Spirit show up occasionally in my pieces. It’s how I channel.</p><p id="3793">If you are not already a Medium member, consider using <a href="https://pmevanosky.medium.com/membership"><b><i>my affiliate link to join</i></b></a>. It is less than <b><i>15¢ a day</i></b>. A small portion of your membership fee will support my writing, and you will have access to all the great articles written by writers on Medium.</p><p id="f2fc">Thanks for reading. <a href="https://pmevanosky.medium.com/subscribe"><b>Subscribe for notifications every time I publish an article</b></a>. See you in the Funny Papers.</p><div id="b2ef" class="link-block"> <a href="https://pmevanosky.medium.com/list/c75cbb677e29"> <div> <div> <h2>The Last Word - Where Spirit Speaks</h2> <div><h3>A section in some of my articles for my Spirit Guide and other interested Folk in Spirit to have a place to talk. Just…</h3></div> <div><p>pmevanosky.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*cc5922e576207285fd230b798dc9ee73f480108f.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

Body Doubling With ADHD

A productivity strategy described by many as helpful was actually…helpful!

I’ve frequently seen videos and posts about body doubling but hadn’t thought much of it. As an autistic introvert who prefers a quiet, solitary working environment, I figured it was something that might work for some but not for me.

Apparently, I was wrong.

If the term is new to you, body doubling is essentially having another person present when you’re getting work done — almost as a form of accountability, but they aren’t meant to add any pressure on you, just be present.

Some people find this strategy so helpful, they seek out like-minded ADHDers to connect with and will body double virtually.

I remember when I was in college and not yet diagnosed with ADHD, I had a harder time studying in my apartment. I assumed it was because there were so many distractions — my roommate, my computer with Internet, and a myriad of more interesting things to do.

I completed my first degree in Toronto and took the subway to and from classes every day. I quickly discovered that reading on the subway with headphones on provided the ideal environment in which to study. I had no cell service because we were underground, no internet, and no roommate to chat with.

I chalked it up to fewer distractions and didn’t put much more thought into it.

In retrospect

But wait — are there actually fewer distractions in a Toronto subway car than in an apartment shared with one or two roommates? Not likely. Even during the quieter hours, there’s almost always something going on.

I was able to tune everything out by blasting music in my ears, but I am a highly observant person and tend to notice everything happening around me. Yet when I donned my headphones and put my nose in a textbook the world seemed to fall away.

Huh.

I also work better in coffee shops, libraries, and other similar environments, provided they aren’t too loud or crowded.

Calvin & Hobbes created by Bill Watterson

Fast forward to today’s experience

My husband’s job is very hands-on and he is considered an essential worker. Despite multiple Covid shut-downs, he has very rarely worked from home over the past two years.

Until today.

My husband and I are both working from home and I’ve never been so productive. He’s working in the kitchen while I shift back and forth between my home office and my favourite reading spot on our living room couch.

We’ve hardly interacted as we’ve both been busy working away, but for some reason just having him home motivates me to stay focused and get things done. Part of it is probably due to me feeling self-conscious: I don’t want my husband to get the impression I sit around doing nothing all day!

Part of it is likely due to the novelty. This is a new (and temporary) arrangement, and the benefits of body doubling would likely decrease over time if I were to habituate to his presence.

Regardless, I am pleasantly surprised and happy to admit I was wrong.

There is a caveat

I do know this is much less effective on weekends when I am trying to work. When our son is home from school and my husband is doing projects around the house there are constant interruptions (from both of them!).

Body doubling even works for introverts like me, provided the companion is also quiet and productive — clearly, they won’t be much help if they’re frequently interrupting you, or if the environment is too busy or noisy.

Like most things I guess, don’t knock it ’til you try it… or are essentially forced to try it due to extenuating circumstances.

Close enough.

Body Doubling With ADHD

A productivity strategy described by many as helpful was actually…helpful!

In retrospect

Fast forward to today’s experience

There is a caveat

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References