Dear Reader,
​
Look at this new toy I bought for myself!

It's a ​12-sided gravity timer​ that has 11 different time intervals. I love it for the D&D die callback, the little blue LED that gives off ​Infinity Stone​ vibes, and for the simplicity of setting different time intervals by flipping the timer to the face with the desired time. No extra steps and screens means less chance of losing focus.

I suppose being this excited about a cool-looking timer is a sign of middle age, but I think my reason for loving it so much is the focus and the sense of lightness it's given me in just the first few days of using it. I’ve been having an increasingly hard time starting all personal and professional tasks, even the ones that I want to do. As an adult who was diagnosed with ADHD only within the past two years, this cycle of low motivation isn't new to me. However, this bout inconveniently coincided with the launch of my first cohort class, the redesign of business processes, and some big (though mostly good) changes in my routine. The severity of these symptoms was wreaking havoc on my life and causing lots of anxiety and mental health struggles. (Aside: If you or someone you know exhibit these symptoms as well, ​this video​ about the Motivation Bridge by Jessica McCabe from How to ADHD really helped me understand what was happening to me and allowed me to be more kind to myself.)

As much as I am excited about this timer, the more universal thing I wanted to share regarding this journey is that this is not my first attempt at using a timer to start and stay on task. Years ago, during another bout of low motivation, a counselor introduced me to the ​Pomodoro Technique​, which in its strictest definition, is a time management method of working for 25 minutes with 5 minute breaks, with longer breaks after 4 of these work periods or pomodoros/pomodori. And let me tell you, that was a disheartening failure.

The problem was that, because of the flavor of my then undiagnosed ADHD, forcing myself to stop in the middle of tasks once I got into flow meant that I was constantly interrupting myself with enforced breaks only to have to bridge the motivation gaps again after 5 minutes. The original method may have worked for a neurotypical brain but it worked against my tendency to hyperfocus. Sticking to the rigid structure prescribed by my counselor was frustrating and after a few tries, I gave up and accepted that I'm just not a person that does well with any kind of timer-related method.

Fast forward to a few days ago when I had an epiphany...what if I try using a timer again, but this time, I make it work for the brain I have?

Here are some of the accommodations I made for myself using the data I had gathered from the past 2 years:

• Get a simple-to-operate timer that doesn't require a phone or tablet.
• Use the timer and set it for the lowest amount of time I'm willing to stay on task, with the expectation that I am free to stop working as soon as that timer rings.
• Give myself permission to dive headlong into the task and break only when I want to, not at pre-determined and rigid intervals.

It's been nearly a week and I have to tell you, the results have been night and day already. My accommodations helped me get over my low motivation issue AND it taps into one of my ADHD superpowers...my ability to get lost in the task at hand once I get started. It's already helped me regain confidence in myself and given me a reliable way to start working in a way that builds momentum.

This adventure reminds me of how I teach self-defense techniques. How many folks stop themselves from going to a traditional martial arts school because they don't see themselves reflected in the members? How many folks quit after the initial few classes because they can't make the technique work for their bodies? How many left class feeling discouraged and blame themselves for a technique that wasn’t tailored to their bodies and capabilities?

This is why one of Safe Together's guiding principles is that we make the technique work for the body, not the other way around. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of folks who train with us, and believe that self-defense is for every body, every identity, and every orientation.

If you would like to come see how I can make self-defense techniques work for you, I have a workshop coming up this Sunday, February 25, from 11-1pm at the ​Flying Tortoise Academy​ located at 4400 NE Glisan St, Porland, OR 97213. If you can't make it to this one, I would love to see you at our next one on Sunday, March 10. Registration is open for both workshops.

Winter Cohort Course is in full swing and our first 3 classes have been really fun. This course is now closed but if you'd like to be on the waitlist for the Spring Cohort in April, please fill out the form below. (Psst... folks on the waitlist get a discount!)

Thank you for reading! I'm feeling really excited about what this year brings, especially with the return of my focus. I hope to see you at a future workshop or a cohort course soon!

With gratitude,

Holly (she/they)
"Self-Defense for Every Body" | ​www.safetogether.space | IG: @hollyempowered​

$0.00 February 2024 Safe Together Workshop Personal Safety Foundations Spend two hours in a safe and inclusive environment learning how to make effective... Read more Get it now!

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$0.00 March 2024 Safe Together Workshop Personal Safety Foundations Spend two hours in a safe and inclusive environment learning how to make effective... Read more Get it now!

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Mark your calendars for upcoming workshops

• ​Sunday, February 25, 11-1pm​
• ​Sunday, March 10, 11-1pm​
• Sunday, April 14, 11-1pm

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