Body Doubling: The Productivity Tool More Adults Need

I have a basement full of things that need attention. Things to sort, donate, recycle, give away, or throw out. And honestly? It’s not just the basement. There are closets, drawers, the pantry, piles of papers, computer files, and old photos waiting for me too.

I know I’m not alone.

Most of us have spaces in our homes — and maybe even parts of our lives — that feel cluttered, overwhelming, or unfinished. And while I love a good organized drawer or freshly cleaned space, getting started on these kinds of tasks can feel incredibly difficult.

For some people, organizing feels as dreadful as a root canal. For others, it’s simply overwhelming. Sometimes the emotional weight of the task becomes bigger than the task itself. And sometimes life forces the issue — a move, downsizing, aging parents, a flooded basement, or a broken pipe suddenly makes organizing unavoidable.

When I talk to people about this, I often hear things like:

• “I don’t even know where to start.”

• “I don’t know what to do with all this stuff.”

• “It’s too overwhelming.”

• “It’s just so boring to do alone.”

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That last one matters more than most people realize.

Enter: Body Doubling

“Body doubling” is a concept that originally gained attention in the ADHD community. It’s a productivity strategy where another person is present while you work on a task. They may be working alongside you, quietly doing their own work, or simply helping you stay focused and engaged.

The interesting part? It often works incredibly well for people without ADHD too. There’s something powerful about not doing hard or tedious tasks alone.

The simple presence of another person can help us:

• get started

• stay focused longer

• feel less overwhelmed

• avoid distractions

• build momentum

• feel accountable in a supportive way

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Researchers believe this happens for several reasons. The social presence creates a mild sense of accountability, activates mirror neurons, increases dopamine, and helps anchor attention. In plain language: it’s often easier for our brains to stay engaged when someone else is nearby.

And honestly, most of us already know this instinctively.

Think about how much easier it is to:

• clean when a friend is helping

• exercise with a workout partner

• study at a coffee shop

• tackle paperwork with someone sitting nearby

• 
  

We tend to do difficult things better together.

How Body Doubling Works

A body doubling session can be simple:

1. Decide what each person will work on.

2. Set expectations — quiet or talking, same room or virtual, length of time, etc.

3. Set a timer.

4. Work.

5. Celebrate what got done.

That’s it.

These sessions can happen:

• in person

• over Zoom

• at a coffee shop

• at home

• while working on the same task or completely different ones

The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is momentum.

Sometimes Support Is the Strategy

Many people assume they “should” be able to do these things alone. But needing support doesn’t mean you’re lazy, unmotivated, or incapable. Sometimes your brain simply works better with connection, structure, accountability, and encouragement nearby.

That’s where coaching and body doubling can become incredibly helpful.

Sometimes you don’t need someone to do the work for you. You just need someone to help you begin, stay grounded, and keep moving.

If you’ve been staring at clutter, unfinished projects, paperwork, life admin tasks, or spaces that feel mentally heavy, I’d love to help. I offer body doubling support both online and in person to help people move from overwhelmed to forward motion — one step at a time.

You do not have to tackle it all alone.

For more information about body doubling, check out ADDitude Magazine’s explanation of body doubling