My brain is either at 100% or 0%.If I'm doing something monotonous, I need something to keep me stimulated, like listening to an audiobook, podcast, YouTube video, or music I can sing to.
If I'm doing something taxing, I need some background dopamine to stay focused or I'll get bored, tired, or unmotivated. I could be tapping, fidgetting, rocking, or listening to music I can move to (but not sing to).
Apparently, your body is supposed to have some base level of dopamine, but some people's base level is too low. There are links to this and ADHD.
My industry (city government) has a union. We have strict 40 hour work weeks and can't go over, mandated breaks, work from home, fair treatment, and fair hiring and layoff policies. Managers have gotten in trouble for asking someone to work during lunch. Pay is competitive for the area. I could be making more at a large company, but I like not being stressed and my finances aren't stressing me at this job.
Hidden-variable cult skulking in the background 🫥