planner chat: life updates, mental health check-in + some ADHD thoughts in my hobonichi cousin

[@twiggly2193]

I love to cowork when I’m feeling unmotivated and unproductive! I work from home and have been for the past 4-5 years and I wouldn’t trade it for anything but it comes with its own set of struggles. I find that sitting in a voice call or video call with someone, my supportive friend group, or coworkers really centers my brain. This week I "coworked" by hanging out in a shared meeting call and ask coworkers that if they wanted to they can hop in the call and work quietly with me! I was able to focus for 6 hrs straight without feeling the need for an extensive break or without being hyper aware of the clock. That is such a feat for me, I’m pretty happy with my progress! Idk if that’s something I can get others to join with me everyday, but I’m going to try to prompt people 2-3 times a week for it and go from there :)

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Ah, yes! Thank you for sharing this! This is my sign and reminder to seek coworking opportunities. I’m going to try out an hour of virtual coworking this coming week, and I’m grateful that she’s been open to it! It has been harder than I thought to coordinate schedules. It’s very impressive that you were able to coordinate this with your coworkers - great job!!! 🤩

[@riesemma]

On "faint ink/desaturation" in pilot VP, weren't you using Platinum Carbon Black in it? I seem to get little pigment particles that don't dissolve in water/flush out but rather require abrasion to clean out for Platinum Carbon Black in my pilot capless (but mine is EF) so flossing the tines sounds good but I feel like I need to clean out the feed too... On the other hand I think the pilot gold nibs are supposed to write more thinly than their steel nibs. Have you tried using kon peki in Pilot Custom 823 (also expecting a bit more fine than pilot steel fines)?

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Yes - you’re right about using Platinum Carbon Black. Over time, I don’t think my EF nib was happy, either, bc I kept getting hard starts despite using it on a daily basis and flushing it regularly. I’ve since stopped - not sure if maybe the capless was not suited for PCB? Or, maybe it’s user error and I didn’t clean my pens properly. Hmm, yes, maybe I need to clean the feed better as well. I watched a video that showed how to remove the nib entirely from the feed and I tried washing both the nib and the feed separately. I also soaked it in pen flush for several hours and then used a bulb syringe to flush it out. My next step would be to try taking it to a nibmeister, but I was hoping to exhaust all cleaning options before I do. I haven’t tried kon peki in my pilot custom 823 because I keep refilling it with my brown inks. 😂 I’d be curious to see how it writes with Kon Peki, though, so I’ll have to try that next time I clean out my 823!

[@riesemma]

Just wanted to say I commented before finishing your video (because my experience with PCB was that it dries out in VP so I am thinking of using a different ink in VP to love it better) but having gone through the whole video, gosh I feel you. I also struggle with avoidance and procrastination as a coping behavior to counter feeling overwhelmed. How do you break the doom scrolling avoidance loop you notice yourself falling in short of uninstalling apps (whew I am not an Instagram user but KZbin...maybe it has my brain overstimulated) Thanking you for making this video and sending you hugs.

[@LadyTiss]

You make my favorite content for a Saturday morning. I took notes on your reflection process, because at 45 years old, I have never been given these tools before. I am also late diagnosed ADHD and have learned so much about how I cope. Your videos really help me refine and understand my reactions to many situations. Thank you so much for these long chatty videos. I know they must be a bear to edit.

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much for your kind words! 🥺 I also lacked the tools to cope, and I often found myself stuck in loops of knowing that I was struggling without knowing what to do or how to change. I find I have to be careful about setting up too many next steps or to-dos, once I’ve determined what I can do to improve my situation, because I always think I can do more than I have energy for! Thanks again for your feedback; it really goes a long way in encouraging me to continue making content like this. 💗

[@Wholelatteplans]

I really love this deep dive into your processing!! This is so helpful!!

[@MaikeOatley]

This was such an insightful video! Thank you for sharing!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@ayearandaday]

Hi there Alison! I recently subscribed to your channel and I love your videos 🥰 I'm usually a bit of a lurker in the comment section 🤭 but just wanted to let you know I really appreciate your honesty and insights regarding your struggles with mental health and ADHD. I know those struggles all too well and it is really refreshing to hear someone share their experiences the way that you do - so thank you for that!! 🙌 Wishing you a lovely rest of the weekend 🌻 ~Jenny

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for your kind feedback 🥹 ! I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying these videos. I think ADHD (or any mental health challenges) can be an isolating experience, and my hope is adding to the conversation might help others feel more understood and less alone. 😊

[@chattychatmandoo]

This resonated with me sooo much. I’m in my early 40s and getting tested for ADHD soon. I noticed that when I didn’t have structure and accountability after finishing up coursework during my PhD program ten years ago things went downhill for me. My career in higher ed surprisingly doesn’t have as much structure as I need and then motivation has become so difficult as of late. I’ve enjoyed you sharing your experience and want you to thank you for your health and wellness tracker because it inspired me. I’ve been using it regularly the last few months and it is helpful in relaying concrete information about my physical and mental health to professionals. All the best to you!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience. It sounds like you’ve been operating in an unstructured environment for some time, which can be exhausting. I’m glad you’re getting an ADHD assessment soon. It took me a while to seek a formal diagnosis, but it was so helpful from an acceptance and self-awareness perspective. It also allowed me to shift my focus away from surviving and self-blame for struggling in ambiguous situations. I’m so happy to hear that you’ve been trying out the health and wellness tracker and that it’s been helping you relay information with the physical and mental health professionals that you’re working with. This is my hope when I share my health and wellness tracker, so hearing this feedback means a lot. 💗

[@donnad5986]

This is such a great video. I feel like you were describing me. I will be watching this several times, I want to take some notes on how you are staying focused and also how to work through non energy days.! Thank you so much for putting your vulnerable self out there.!! Blessings to you.!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m especially grateful to hear that you consider this a resource that you’d come back to in the future. 🥹 I truly hope you find it helpful as you work through staying focused and your lower energy days! 🪫🔋

[@tortagialla]

I definitely enjoy these videos and learning a bit how I can help myself through processing it all out 😅 thank you for sharing!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much! I am always happy to hear from you 🥹, and I am so glad to hear these videos have been helpful for you. ☺️

[@stephanieplansandreads]

This was such a good video. Describing what was going on with you and how you were handling it (or not) - you could be talking about me. I haven't been diagnosed ADHD but I seem to have a lot of traits of the inattentive type. I do have a chronic illness though so it could also be that. I think these kinds of activities can be really helpful. Thank you!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you for your kind words! I think the inattentive symptoms can result from other diagnoses, so it makes sense to me that you would experience them as well. I totally agree that these activities can be helpful. I used to journal to vent, but it wasn’t until I added more structure to my reflections that I was able to be more proactive about my mental health. 😊

[@Elizkleincaz]

Is it possible that there is water getting stuck somewhere in the feed or filling mechanism after you clean the pen? That could cause the watered down look that you're seeing. I find my Pilot VP so hard to get fully dry because the feed and "guts" of the pen are so closed up in that metal sheath.

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Hmmm, I’m not sure, but I’ll try anything! Normally once I have flushed out my pens, I leave them to dry for a day in a small cup with a cloth and/or paper towel. Do you have any advice on what else I can try? I’ll try anything! 😅

[@plancreatecope]

I just bought my first sample of Kon Peki and I am wondering what took me so long

[@LittleCocoStudio]

I feel similarly about kon peki! Although I got a sample early on in my fountain pen journey, I can’t believe it took me so long to try it again… and realize how gorgeous it is! 🥹

[@chattychatmandoo]

Thanks for the video!

[@LittleCocoStudio]

Thank you so much! 🥺💗