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Key points
- Working in a vacuum during solitary pursuits might backfire and enhance isolation.
- Working with others offers many benefits, including increased productivity.
- Being together—even if online—offers social connection and collaborative wins.
A pretty random email in early January from a writer’s group mentioned the “Writers Happiness Movement,” including a “free one-day online retreat to ring in the new year.” With a name like that, how could I not?
The appointed morning, I regretted registering. It was the weekend. I didn’t want to-dos but already had several commitments that day. When I showed up on Zoom at 9:30 a.m., I was only thankful it was in my time zone.
Thirty-one others showed up too. All women. (“I’m not surprised,” my 30-something daughter quipped. “Men don’t know the importance of community.” Not so convinced that’s true, but it surprised me.)
Lori, who began The Writers Happiness Movement (now Splendid Mola), is a writer and yoga teacher who believes in kindness. Yep. She offers writing retreats and even scholarships, as well as some offerings gratis.
People arrived on Zoom from all over the world. We introduced ourselves, then Lori led meditation, breathwork, and gentle yoga. This connected us and sharpened our writerly attention so we could shut off our cameras and get to work.
Personally, I had an essay I needed to revise—for about the millionth time—that I’d dreaded and just kept putting off. That day, with dozens of others silently “there,” I worked through the paragraphs fluidly—much quicker than I’d imagined.
I had to leave, run errands, take a class. The container was set up so we could come and go any time, do whatever we wanted—there was no pressure to actually write the entire time or even do anything related. It all was OK. We had and gave each other permission to pet cats, read books, call the furnace repair person; whatever was needed.
I’d planned to check out this weird Zoom thing in the morning, peg it as yet another video chat that made my eyes and brain popping-out tired, and sign off. Instead, I came back after my class and revised and refined until the essay was done, ready to submit. Sweet relief!
I felt gratified, accomplished, and at ease. I was also delighted—I’d met 31 great writers across the globe. I appreciated the power of community so much I became a Patreon—my first time ever—chipping in $5 per month to support other writers (remember those scholarships? I wanted to help).
Splendid Mola had a January “Writing Container” three mornings a week for two and a half hours throughout the month coming up. I registered. These words took shape during that container.
It wasn’t until my daughter said so that I realized I was—duh—body doubling. According to CHADD, a great organization for those with ADHD (and those who love them), body doubling "is a tool some adults use to help them start and complete projects. Sometimes referred to as an accountability partner, it is a technique for better productivity. A body double is a friend or partner who works simultaneously, either in the same room or virtually through videochat platforms."
Inside my January writing container of 18 (again, all women. What’s up with that?), it’s true there are several who have ADHD. But there are also many without, and several introverts (body doubling is clearly not only for those craving social contact). I’m an extrovert without ADHD (don’t worry, I’ve got plenty of my own problems), but I love the structure and camaraderie of the writing container. Here’s what I’ve gained:
- Body doubling is a great way to be with others, connect, support, and be supported. Among the writing container group, we clearly think about each other between sessions, and that lifts us up.
- Yes, body doubling creates accountability. It’s empowering to share common goals (writing, painting, crafting, sculpture, cooking—anything one might otherwise do alone) and is known to improve productivity.
- Doubling creates friendships and ideas sparked from listening to and being with others; these ideas may never have arisen in our solo brains.
- Containers with others transform work into fun. Play, even. We joke before and after writing time while we check in. It’s a pleasure every time—even if I sometimes dread writing. That “anticipatory anxiety” dissipates right away.
- This way of working supports structuring and scheduling what we love. It’s something we do for ourselves so our loved (but sometimes avoided or shunted aside) pursuit doesn’t get lost. Although I previously devoted myself to at least one writing time weekly, tasks overflowed and I’d stress about when everything would get done. What a relief to think: The writing container is in two days, I’ll do it then.
If you’ve been procrastinating or dreading something, or are simply unsure how to begin, start or join with others, even with a single colleague or friend. Online or in person. It will empower you. And your mood, productivity, and motivation may just… double.
