What is Body Doubling? The Simple Strategy for an Unstoppable Focus

Have you ever noticed that you’re much more productive at a coffee shop than you are sitting alone at your kitchen table? Or perhaps you’ve found that you finally tackle that mountain of laundry when a friend is over, even if they’re just sitting on the sofa chatting with you?

There is a name for that phenomenon: Body Doubling. And we're mimicking this practice with our new Virtual Focus Sessions.

What Exactly is Body Doubling?

Body doubling is a productivity strategy where another person works alongside you, either physically or virtually, while you complete a task.

They don't necessarily have to help you with the task; their primary role is to act as a "body double." Their presence serves as an external anchor for your attention. It’s a quiet, supportive signal to your brain that says, "Right now, we are working."

Why It Works (Especially for ADHD and Busy Minds)

For those who struggle with executive function or organizing (such as those with ADHD), starting a task (task initiation) can feel like trying to push a boulder uphill. Body doubling helps because:

• It eliminates the "loneliness" of a chore: Doing the dishes or filing paperwork feels less like a drag when you aren't doing it in a vacuum.

• It provides a "social mirror": Knowing someone else is focused makes you less likely to wander off to check your phone or start a different, unrelated project.

It creates a container: It defines a specific time for work, which helps prevent the "paralysis" of an open-ended day.

How Our Focus Sessions Mimic This Magic

Not everyone in the Okanagan can have a professional organizer in their home regularly. That’s why we created our Virtual Focus Sessions. These groups are designed to bring the power of body doubling directly to your screen.

Here is how our sessions recreate that supportive environment:

• The Virtual Anchor: By joining the Google Meet call, you are "checking in" to a dedicated work zone with Anissa, along with the other participants, which provides that essential social anchor.

• Quiet, Shared Momentum: We aren’t there to chat or distract. We are there to work. You’ll see others sorting mail, folding clothes, or clearing a desk, which creates a powerful wave of collective focus.

• A Judgment-Free Zone: The beauty of a Focus Session is that you don’t have to share your "mess" with anyone. You can keep your camera off if you prefer. You simply benefit from the shared energy of the group.

• Gentle Structure: We provide the start time, the midpoint check-in, and the wrap-up. This structure takes the "decision fatigue" out of your hour, allowing you to simply follow the flow.

Get Unstuck Today

Whether you are organizing with ADHD or simply stuck and can’t seem to find an hour to begin on your own, focus sessions might be the missing piece of your productivity puzzle.

Our Focus Sessions offer the decluttering support  for overwhelmed clients that you can access from the comfort of your own home in Kelowna (or anywhere else!).

Ready to try it? Join us for an upcoming session and experience the "magic" of working together. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish in just 60 minutes when you don't have to do it alone.

Learn More About our Focus Sessions

Disclaimer: While Anissa is a licensed pharmacist in British Columbia, the services provided through Oh My Good Mess are professional organizing and productivity coaching only. These sessions do not constitute medical advice, pharmacy services, or medication consultation. Please consult your primary healthcare provider for medical concerns.