Writing is often seen as a lonely art. You sit at your desk, stare at the screen, and connect with your inner world. But some days, the words just don’t come. You scroll, snack, or clean the kitchen—anything but write.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many writers struggle to stay focused and productive, even when they love their work. This is where body doubling can be helpful. Because when someone else is there, something shifts.
What Is Body Doubling?
Body doubling is simple: it is working alongside another person to boost your focus and productivity. You don’t need to be working on the same task. You don’t even need to talk much.
The idea is that the presence of someone else—online or in-person—creates a shared space of accountability. Think of it as having a workout buddy, but for writing.
It’s not collaboration or co-writing. Your body double doesn’t need to give feedback or even understand what you’re working on. They just exist in the same space, doing their own thing.
This technique became popular in ADHD circles, but it works for anyone who finds it hard to focus.
Why Writers Struggle With Productivity
Writing demands solitude for deep thinking and creativity. Yet this very isolation often becomes our biggest challenge. Too much of it and your motivation drains out, making you seek distractions to replace it.
And without external accountability, you procrastinate. It’s easy to put off writing when no one’s there to give you a gentle reminder. So you enter a loop of trying to write and then distracting yourself.
That creates unhealthy habits that slow you down. You get stuck on the little things. Maybe you rewrote the same paragraph five times. Maybe you spent an hour looking for the perfect synonym.
It feels like work, but it’s not the kind that gets your draft finished. At the end of a session, you feel like you’ve made progress, but in reality, you’ve barely moved the needle.
Once this happens, it’s hard to get your rhythm back.
Types of Body Doubles
There are pretty much only two: in-person and virtual.
With in-person body doubling, you meet a friend or fellow writer at a café, library, or someone’s home. You don’t have to chat—just being near someone else who’s focused can help you stay on track.
However, virtual body doubling is more popular now because it’s easier to set up. Most free apps like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord work great. You log on, maybe say a quick hello, then write in silence. Some people leave their cameras on for extra accountability.
Both can be effective. The only thing that matters is which one you prefer.
You can also do group writing sprints online or offline.
Finding Your Ideal Body Double
So, how do you find a body double who can truly boost your productivity?
Start with someone who’s also working on a focused task. They don’t need to be a writer, but they should respect quiet time and take their work seriously. A flaky or overly chatty partner will only pull your focus.
If you’re going the in-person route, think of friends, local writers, or coworkers who enjoy working quietly. Libraries, bookstores, and cafes with a calm vibe can also be good places to meet others doing the same.
For virtual options, check out writing communities on Discord, Reddit, or Facebook. Tools like Focusmate and Caveday offer structured sessions with strangers who just want to get stuff done. You can also post in writing forums asking for a virtual writing buddy.
Don’t be afraid to test a few people. Chemistry matters—even for productivity. The bare minimum you should look for is:
- Someone who is reliable and shows up consistently.
- Someone with similar focus needs.
- Someone whose schedule is compatible with yours.
- Someone who can respect whatever boundaries you set up.
When you approach someone, be clear about what you need. If you prefer silent sessions with minimal small talk, say so upfront. Some people enjoy chatting while they work.
Setting Up Effective Body Doubling Sessions
To get the most from body doubling, follow these steps:
Choose your format.
Decide with your body double if you want to meet in person or online. Also, discuss if you want it to be one-on-one, as a group, or a mix of both.
Set boundaries.
The purpose of a session is to be productive. Set boundaries to make it a safe space for both of you and to stop it from turning into a hangout.
- Share your goals for each session.
- Decide on the rules for break times.
- Agree on signals for when conversation is okay and when focus is needed.
- Decide on the session’s structure. Are you doing prolonged periods of focus, or are you okay with short bursts and frequent but short breaks?
The more you understand each other’s work habits, the easier it is to stay in sync and support each other’s focus.
Turn it into a routine.
Schedule regular sessions that work for both of you and specify how frequently they will be. Start small at the beginning. Do 30-minute sessions and gradually increase as you build the habit and become more familiar with each other.
The more often you show up, the easier it gets.
Track progress.
Check in with each other after each session. A quick recap—what you worked on, what you finished, what felt hard—can keep the momentum going. Keep a simple log to track your progress.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just jot down the date, your goal, and what you did. Over time, this gives you a clear picture of what’s working and where you’re improving. It also makes your progress feel real.
And celebrate your wins, no matter how small.
Adjust as needed.
Change things if they’re not working. And some days you’ll need more structure, other days less. Be flexible in how these sessions go.
Balance with solo time.
Body doubling is powerful, but you still need space to develop your own rhythm and focus. If you rely too much on someone else’s presence, it can backfire when you’re alone.
Make time to write solo so you can build your self-discipline. Sometimes, solo writing is also the best for deep, creative work.
Criticisms
Body doubling can be a game-changer, but it’s not a miracle fix. One common criticism is dependence. You start to rely on body doubling so much that you struggle to focus when you’re alone.
It can also take time to click with the right body double. You might need a few sessions to build trust and find your rhythm, and not every pairing works out.
Your body double could also be the source of your distractions. If you’re mismatched, a session could feel more draining than helpful.
And finally, not everyone enjoys being watched or working with someone else, even virtually. For some, it adds pressure or anxiety instead of relief.
So try it, adjust what doesn’t work, and decide if it’s worth the trouble. Body doubling is a tool. And not every tool belongs in your kit.
Have you tried body doubling? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Build a Reading Routine (And Stick to It)
- How To Track Your Writing Progress
- How and Why You Should Write in Batches
- How to Overcome Too Many Ideas Syndrome
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
