My Experience with Body Doubling on Focusmate (a digital platform for Folks with ADHD)

In my previous article, It’s Not Always Body Doubling, Sometimes It’s Drafting: Why Working Side by Side with Somebody Helps Get Things Done, you can learn about body doubling and how it helps folks with ADHD commit and focus on tasks.

I recently tried out an app called Focusmate, and I was pleasantly surprised at how simple—and effective—it was. Signing up was quick and easy, and one of my favorite features is the calendar integration, which makes it seamless to schedule sessions. And just to be clear—this is not a paid endorsement. I’m simply sharing my personal experience because I found the platform useful and thought others might benefit as well.

Focusmate also lets you choose the type of activity you’re working on, whether that’s cleaning, computer work, or even exercising. You can select a session length as short as 25 minutes or go longer if you’d like. Once you’re in, there are people already available to meet with. You can turn off your video, mute your sound, or just use the text feature if you prefer. The point isn’t to chat—it’s to create accountability by having someone else there while you work.

Structure and Safety

One thing I appreciated is how intentional the platform feels. Focusmate has clear community rules to keep the space safe, along with a helpful guide that walks you through how to use it. That structure takes away the awkwardness of hanging out with a stranger and allows you to focus on the task at hand.

Accountability in Action

What stood out the most for me was the accountability piece. Knowing someone else was waiting for me nudged me to show up right on time. As a therapist, punctuality isn’t usually my issue, and I probably would have done the work I scheduled on my own. But I could see how this would make a huge difference for tasks that feel more difficult or overwhelming. That gentle pressure of someone else being there can make it much easier to stick with your own commitment.

Support Without Pressure

I also liked how little direct interaction there was during the session. It felt friendly and supportive, without becoming distracting. There’s something about the quiet presence of another person that makes the work feel lighter.

It reminded me of research showing that when someone climbs a hill with a 40-pound pack on their back, they perceive the hill as less steep if a friend is walking with them. The pack doesn’t weigh any less, but the experience of carrying it changes.

Focusmate partners aren’t there to become your friends, and that’s not the point. But even with strangers, the social element matters. It lightens the load of difficult experiences and makes the uphill climb feel more manageable.

Free to Try

Another thing worth mentioning: Focusmate is free for up to three meet-ups a week. That makes it easy to test out whether this kind of structure and accountability helps you without any financial commitment.

Final Thought

Overall, my time with Focusmate was positive. The accountability, the structure, and the subtle social support all worked together to create a space that made showing up and staying engaged feel easier. It’s a simple reminder that we don’t always need someone to tell us what to do—sometimes, just knowing someone is there alongside us is enough to keep us moving forward.