I love my team. We are on a very stressful project, but we all get on. They're great people, and I feel very blessed by this.
There are also some people who come in on the same days as us - also lovely people. One, in particular, has warmed the cockles of my heart. It's an open plan office with a desk booking system, but human inertia means you will often sit in the same area, if not at the same desk, week on week.
When I first started at this job, the boss booked me a desk. As I knew where I was going, week on week I'd sit at the same desk. It's easy. My laptop is configured to the screen. I don't mind the chair. It's not too glary.
The other week, I went to book my desk, and somebody had already booked it!
Bloody Joff!
Bloody Joff who normally sits diagonally to me. Bloody Joff who also sits at the same desk week in week out had booked MY desk.
(I should say that Joff and I have similar job titles and he's a bit of a mentor to me too.)
Bloody Joff!
But there had to be a reason. See I know Joff. I know Joff well, even though we've only worked with each other for a couple of months.
See, Joff and I are both late diagnosed ADHD. And we get each other.
On the morning when he's pinched MY desk, Joff sent me a message.
Joff: I'm in your spot.
Pand: You are. But there must be a reason.
Joff: There is. I bet you were miffed when you saw YOUR desk was booked.
Pand: I was. But then after a few deep breaths I told myself off and got on with it and booked Clay's desk. I know he doesn't feel the same about going to the same spot. You'd be pissed if I nicked YOUR spot.
Joff: Ah, yes, I would. There is a good reason. I'm working on some secret squirrel stuff, and I can't have my screen facing the main area. Your desk is in the right position. Am I forgiven?
Pand: I suppose.
Joff: I know what I'd be feeling if you booked my desk.
Pand: I very nearly did...
And here's the rub - we neurodivergent folk like our rituals and our inertia-bound processes. It keeps us sane. We both know this.
We've got similar quirks. We're wired up similarly. We talk meds.
He's been around when I've forgotten to take my lunchtime Ritalin. (If I forget to take it, I have until 2 p.m. to have the dose. If I take it after 2 pm I won't sleep.) Thankfully it's a low dose, and I'm fine without it, but I'm more productive If I take it.
Today, I get back from an early lunch.
There's a message from Joff.
Joff: Take your meds.
Pand: Am I that ratty?
Joff: No, but you'll have a better afternoon if you do.
Pand: True. Taking it now.
I feel very blessed to have somebody like this around. (I'm lucky in general - they're really the best team).
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