I've posted before about my clingy cat, under a name change. She's a 4 year old rescue, I've had her 3 months. I had some good advice last time but I'm back for more as it's more specific to trying to work.
My cat is only happy and secure when she is on my lap. And as I work from home most of the time in the open plan living room/kitchen, it's an issue. She barely sleeps during the day, maybe a couple of hours, she spends the rest of the time yelling at me or prowling around my feet. If I ignore her she puts her paws up on my knee and repeatedly pats my arm, or gets on the table behind me and yells directly in my ear. She only stops when it gets to evening time and she can get on my lap and go to sleep. It is massively distracting for work, and zoom calls are a nightmare as she 'joins in' - she miaows constantly if not on my lap or asleep.
I cuddle her for half an hour in the morning, stroke her frequently in the day, play with her a couple of times with a laser pointer, and have her on my lap all evening. But whatever I do is never enough - she won't do anything without me - she has access to the garden but will only go out there with me, and then come back in with me.
I don't want to ruin her confidence so don't know how strict to be with her. Ignoring her doesn't work, and the yowling is shredding my nerves. She has food and toys, comfortable places to sleep. I say 'no' fairly forcefully and then feel mean. There is no way I'm getting another cat, and she fights with every cat she sees anyway. I have feliway.