I also have ADHD/depression and go through similar cycles to you. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’ve gotten to the point where it’s more like 50/50 on/off which seems to be fine with the people I work with.
The trick is to realize that staring at your computer while your mind is not ready to work is not the fastest way to getting the work done. Understand the things that bring you back into this state of mind.
It sounds like exercise is one of those things, but can also be unachievable sometimes.
Figure out something that’s even lower effort that brings you to the point where you can exercise. For me, this was cooking. For whatever reason, cooking doesn’t require a lot of mental energy for me, and puts me in a better state of mind consistently. There’s also a good reminder 3 times a day to do it, which helps.
Maybe your thing is walking, meditation, tending to plants, whatever. The important thing is that you nearly always have the energy to do it, and that it gives you a good, accomplished, positive feeling.
It also helps to be honest with the people you work with that you’re taking breaks to do this. If they’ve seen you during your 1-3 weeks, then they’ll want that version of you back.
The trick is to realize that staring at your computer while your mind is not ready to work is not the fastest way to getting the work done. Understand the things that bring you back into this state of mind.
It sounds like exercise is one of those things, but can also be unachievable sometimes.
Figure out something that’s even lower effort that brings you to the point where you can exercise. For me, this was cooking. For whatever reason, cooking doesn’t require a lot of mental energy for me, and puts me in a better state of mind consistently. There’s also a good reminder 3 times a day to do it, which helps.
Maybe your thing is walking, meditation, tending to plants, whatever. The important thing is that you nearly always have the energy to do it, and that it gives you a good, accomplished, positive feeling.
It also helps to be honest with the people you work with that you’re taking breaks to do this. If they’ve seen you during your 1-3 weeks, then they’ll want that version of you back.