Hey, I can relate.
A few years ago, I started dog walking and was comfortable being independent, talking to clients and looking after their dogs. Then I scored a job at a kennel right before lockdowns. During my training I had very short shifts about 3-5 days apart. I realized my memory was crap when I returned to work (things never felt familiar) and I started to feel incredibly disconnected...everyone seemed faster and more on the ball than me. I was getting criticisms, like maybe this wasn't the right job for me because I would often not take initiative and be where I should and when I should (they had a particular set up of dog groups and where they were supposed to go when we went outside, who should be in what area, etc.) That I was "too in my head" and not dynamic enough. But similar to you, I didn't actually have a lot going on in my head...no internal dialogue. No questions to ask them to help my performance. No small talk, even. I had gotten the criticism I was too slow from another job before that. Although these aren't exactly new criticisms (I was a daydreamer kid) I never got them at older jobs, like those I held in my early twenties.
In my twenties I also worked towards/received a BSc. I'm not dumb. But, I noticed the decline really started the more I took carbs out of my diet which was near the end of my time at uni...all the way up to my thirties when I tried carnivore for a couple years. I think the decline may be from being in a chronic stress state. I was also a very depressed and anxious kid and teen.
I tried a bunch of nootropics the past few years to try to stop the decline. Taking alpha-GPC and l-acetyl carnitine made the most impact so I'd take them before I had to do something with more focus. I'm not sure how people on the forum feel about them. (I don't really take them anymore). However, sometimes I stick half a nicotine mint in between my gums and cheek when I wanna write.
I'm still struggling to get going with life again but I am feeling more social and creative with adding sugar and fruit. Taurine and b-vitamins have helped too.
A few years ago, I started dog walking and was comfortable being independent, talking to clients and looking after their dogs. Then I scored a job at a kennel right before lockdowns. During my training I had very short shifts about 3-5 days apart. I realized my memory was crap when I returned to work (things never felt familiar) and I started to feel incredibly disconnected...everyone seemed faster and more on the ball than me. I was getting criticisms, like maybe this wasn't the right job for me because I would often not take initiative and be where I should and when I should (they had a particular set up of dog groups and where they were supposed to go when we went outside, who should be in what area, etc.) That I was "too in my head" and not dynamic enough. But similar to you, I didn't actually have a lot going on in my head...no internal dialogue. No questions to ask them to help my performance. No small talk, even. I had gotten the criticism I was too slow from another job before that. Although these aren't exactly new criticisms (I was a daydreamer kid) I never got them at older jobs, like those I held in my early twenties.
In my twenties I also worked towards/received a BSc. I'm not dumb. But, I noticed the decline really started the more I took carbs out of my diet which was near the end of my time at uni...all the way up to my thirties when I tried carnivore for a couple years. I think the decline may be from being in a chronic stress state. I was also a very depressed and anxious kid and teen.
I tried a bunch of nootropics the past few years to try to stop the decline. Taking alpha-GPC and l-acetyl carnitine made the most impact so I'd take them before I had to do something with more focus. I'm not sure how people on the forum feel about them. (I don't really take them anymore). However, sometimes I stick half a nicotine mint in between my gums and cheek when I wanna write.
I'm still struggling to get going with life again but I am feeling more social and creative with adding sugar and fruit. Taurine and b-vitamins have helped too.