Sounds a lot like nonduality — a concept that may be worth exploring for more insight.

Following this question to find new shops.

I’ve bought a couple of basic dresses for my dolls from these shops and was pleased with the quality and style:

Doll Clothes by Kerstin

SLochetDesigns

I recently heard a description from Shinzen Young on Michael Taft’s podcast about nonduality and pointers that remind me a little of this diagram. I’m sure I’m going to mangle this concept but Shinzen describes a field around himself that his body was aware of based on his senses. He could always access a channel or something wherever he was to a place of calm or similar. Then he used the metaphor of an arrow to describe attention and awareness. An arrow with the point, the shaft, and the nock end or backend of the arrow. He could point the arrow anywhere in the field of his senses around him (& mindfulness etc. can help focus that attention). Then, an exercise to do was to consciously follow the arrow back the shaft (or maybe there is no shaft) back to the nock end, and realizing that you’re back where you started… the arrow point and end are the same. a.k.a. nothing or self. Merged with this diagram, that arrow description prompted me to think of an “arrow” in the center of that field.

I’m still new to the concept of nonduality but this pretty visual and that podcast discussion helps.

I don’t know how you knew, but I needed this reminder. Thanks.

I’ve saved this comment from last year  (the whole thread is helpful) for retailers in India to check out.

Oh man…. I’m loving this thread and you got me really intrigued by COLORNOISE… their orange creamsicle and instrument inspired scents sound perfect….

But then I saw that they use Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone as preservatives. (I am very sensitive/allergic to those ingredients.) so bummed…

I am new to collecting (thanks to my daughter’s interest) and I’ve had luck with ebay, poshmark and Mercari for dolls and furniture. Mercari allows to save your searches to see what is new. With eBay and Mercari- watch the shipping. It can add up. But eBay is where I won my first ever auction ($10 for Kananis shave ice stand).

On Poshmark (and Mercari) I always look at the AG brand “just listed section”. That’s how I got Samantha’s brass bed/bedding for about $30 and her PC desk for $20.

Never had luck at thrift stores except for a generic doll trunk in good shape. Hoping to check out once upon a child soon. Good luck… it’s fun in person or online!

Ooh. I love those fig plates. My mom makes pottery and I’ve messed around with her clay to make pinch pots. I’m always impressed at the skill it takes to make seemingly simple things.

The only indie piece I’ve bought from is a geode bowl from Element Clay Studio (found in her Etsy shop, not the website). It’s gorgeous and lovely but I’d love one (or three) of her wall tiles if I had money to burn.

I love my vionic Chelsea boots.

While not a witchy book per se, but I have been rereading Marie Kondo’s “Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up” lately for a few reasons.

I read it years ago and I’m seeing the book with new appreciation (and now as a witch). The process of sorting, getting rid of things and tidying up our home is in a sense magical, especially her approach. There’s a fair amount of personal reflection and prioritizing involved… it is work (which is probably why I never really worked through the process in the past and I’m reading it again.)

And in terms of simple rituals, I like her approach of thanking things. Like our home and possessions for what they’ve done for us. (Even things that didn’t work for us can still teach us something… before discarding we can thank xyz for helping us learn we don’t like that flavor, color, etc.)

Hi.

Jumping in this space a little late but as a pharmacist, I field questions all the time from my patients about supplements/herbs/etc. I don’t have a textbook but at work I have access to the: Natural Medicines & Supplements Database (https://trchealthcare.com/about-us/products/natural-medicines/ I can’t add link, on mobile)

It may not be exactly what you are looking for (and a personal subscription may be expensive) but it is really good. It’s fabulous for screening for drug interactions and provides general information about a compound and what we know about its side effects, evidence of benefit, etc. Per their site: “Natural Medicines database is the most authoritative resource available on dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and complementary and integrative therapies. Subscribe today for access to: Interactive tools for safety, effectiveness and interactions Over 1,400 natural medicine monographs Easy-to-use, industry-leading NMBER® evidence-based rating system for 185,000+ commercial brand products”

It’s very comprehensive. Also, I try to do CE that touches on herbal topics that my patients ask about (most commonly things for pain, diabetes, sleep, immunity and more “energy”) but beyond that I wish I knew more.

I also follow Abby Langer (a registered dietitian) on social media. She has a bunch of stuff on herbal products, food fads and supplements on her blog. She does a fabulous job reviewing the science and evidence in a down to earth way. A search on her site is where I turn for some things related to those kind of topics. (She also writes with a lot of sass and salt… and I appreciate it.)

I echo your advice and I’m a little disappointed that I had to scroll down this far to find it here. While the school system is not ideal in any way… it is even harder for kids with executive dysfunction/ADHD. The ‘lazy’ label is a common one. And when a kid grows up hearing it… it can really affect their self esteem.
Aside from books, therapy and meds, I also advise OP to check out HowtoADHD YouTube channel for simple tips, etc and to spend some time listening over on r/ADHD.

I wondered how far I’d have to scroll to find this comment.

Perhaps - but there’s a ton of nonverbal cues and body language we all project when we enter a space with other people. How we stand, our confidence level, voice, etc. I also imagine pheromones, etc could factor in, too.

The technique one may use to get into that mindset may vary but I hypothesize it helps them focus on being more aware and mindful of those factors? Just a theory.

Tylluan Penry has a video on invisibility spells that is interesting and more about making yourself not very noticeable, etc. I think she gives some famous historical examples (someone that robbed a bank? I think?) https://youtu.be/Hw8yCnBgYXc

Yep. For me (diagnosed in my 40s), I was apparently coping by finding ways to just ‘do’ some things. Over time, I’ve learned a little, but often procrastinating still happened and was an unhealthy way to manage. What it often takes for me is building a habit around the activity I put off. But then new things are still cropping up…. It’s a struggle.

Yep. This is my answer, too. Most of the witchcraft done by the characters was not all magical but usually involved loads of common sense, keen observation, a little herbology and lots of elbow grease. It also is where I understood first sight and second thoughts. I also agree with Granny Weatherwax in the fact that magic lies in the stories.

I second this! I have two from them and a bunch of other random hats. What do I wear the most? My Coolibar hats.

I’m still new to the craft (and my ADHD diagnosis) but what has helped me the most is keeping things simple and being very clear with my intentions. A short and sweet approach works for me.

I highly recommended watching Tylluan Penry on Youtube, especially her video on Will and Intention. For me, setting a clear intention or goal can take time to work out so I do write my thoughts down (mostly so I don’t forget it). Tylluan also discusses how “will“ is not willpower... but actually more like focus. And she clarifies that focus... is not scrunching up you face to think about or stare at something... but it really is about clearing the clutter. Remove clutter your physical workspace and your mind so you only “see” your goal.

This was an a-ha moment for me. Clearing clutter, of course, is not easy when you have ADHD but cleaning a space of distractions first (and my mind if I can) helps.

I would also suggest working with your current strengths and interests for spells. Candles personally are hard for me to work with aside from setting a mood. My roaming mind prefers more active forms of mindfulness and spellwork. (I want to try magical doodling soon. )

I’ve had luck with Born, Vionic, FitFlop (they have lots of cute shoes beyond flip flops), Merrell, Sperry and Sorel. I have a pair of Dansko clogs but I find them tight over my arch (and they are heavy!). Love Frye boots, too.

If you haven’t already, I would highly suggest talking to your doctor about your stress and depression. Evaluation and treatment of those with either therapy and/or meds can make a world of difference for many. Beyond that, what always helps me for stress is getting enough sleep and regular exercise.

I have ADHD too and have found witchcraft really helpful for me. (As a complement to my therapist and meds... aka potions)

Habit building is something I really struggle with and good habits help me get through my day and keep me on track. Spell work makes me more mindful and self aware... even around simple daily activities... plus, it’s fun! I can turn activities that I’ve struggled to do more fun and interesting (house cleaning = cleansing work now). Metaphors and stories are relatable and interesting to me. Divination is my time to reflect on how I feel about things. I’ve struggled with basic meditation but more active forms (guided meditations and astral travel) are things I love.

Practicing witchcraft is a way to keep my busy, active imagination focused on goals, self-reflection... and it instills a heightened awareness of the natural world around me. And when I get bored or “the spell stops working”, I know I need to mix things up and try a new approach.

I’m using witchcraft to hack my dopamine reward system. “If it’s useful, why the eff not?” Jessi Huntenberg (former atheist, skeptical witch I recently found on YouTube)

Yep, I use Evernote for mine. I eventually want to print out some of the content but this will do for me for now.

I work in healthcare and if I change your title to “stop the do it for the patients/profession”... it hits home. So much of what you advise could apply to us, too! Thanks.

Wow. Thanks for sharing and framing the process this way. It makes a lot of sense.