Body Doubling: A Simple Strategy That Can Make a Big Difference

Written by Jenine Lillian, #ActuallyAutistic Neurodiversity Consultant & Educator www.jeninelillian.com and BCPF Society Board Member: Regional Director - Kootenays 

July 6, 2026

Body doubling is one of those strategies that sounds almost too simple—but for many neurodivergent people, it can make everyday life a little easier. 

What is body doubling anyway? 

Great question. 

Body doubling is when you do tasks alongside another person. They don't have to help you. They don't even have to be doing the same thing. Their presence alone can make it easier to start, stay focused, and follow through. 

It can happen: 

• In person 

• On video 

• Over the phone 

• Or simply by agreeing to spend time "doing life" together 

Think of it like having a gym buddy—but for almost anything: laundry, emails, bookkeeping, food preparation, arts and crafts, writing, paperwork, paying bills, or finally tackling that task you've been putting off. 

One of my favourite things about body doubling is that it's completely flexible. There are no special supplies, expensive memberships, or "right" way to do it. You can adapt it to your own life, your own energy, and your own goals. Like many neurodiversity-friendly strategies, the value isn't in following someone else's formula—it's in discovering what works for you. 

Why it matters 

For many neurodivergent people, the hardest part of a task isn't doing it—it's getting started. 

Executive functioning differences can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming or difficult to begin. Body doubling can help reduce that barrier by providing gentle structure and shared presence. Having someone nearby—even virtually—can make it easier to begin, stay focused, and keep going. 

But there's another benefit that deserves just as much attention: connection. 

Many neurodivergent people experience feelings of isolation. Whether it's because we work differently, communicate differently, or simply haven't yet found people who understand us, loneliness can become another barrier to everyday life. 

Body doubling can help with that too. 

Even quiet companionship can reduce feelings of isolation and remind us that we don't have to navigate everything alone.

It's not supervision—it's shared presence 

Body doubling is not about being watched, managed, or judged. 

It's about: 

• Low-pressure connection 

• Shared focus 

• Mutual support 

You don't need to explain yourself. You don't need to perform. If you're meeting online, you can even keep your camera off. You simply share space with another person while each of you works on what matters to you. 

A free way to try it 

If you've never tried body doubling, there are many free online communities that offer virtual sessions. Some are scheduled, while others allow you to drop in whenever you need support. 

These spaces are intentionally flexible. You decide what you're working on, how much you participate, and whether you keep your camera or microphone on. The goal isn't accountability through pressure—it's creating an environment that makes getting started feel a little less overwhelming. 

If you're curious, search online for "free body doubling" or "virtual co-working for neurodivergent people." You may be surprised by how many welcoming communities are available. 

There's no one right way 

Like many neurodiversity-friendly strategies, body doubling isn't a cure or a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another—and that's okay. 

Some people prefer: 

• Silent sessions 

• One-on-one body doubling 

• Short focus periods 

Others enjoy: 

• Small groups 

• Longer work sessions 

• Casual check-ins 

The goal isn't to do body doubling the "right" way. The goal is to discover whether it's a tool that works for you. 

Closing 

One of the things I appreciate most about body doubling is how it challenges the idea that we have to do everything independently. 

Sometimes accessibility isn't found in a piece of technology or a formal accommodation. Sometimes it's found in another person who is simply willing to share space with us while we fold laundry, answer emails, prepare a meal, work on a creative project, or finally check something off our to-do list. 

To me, that's one of the most important lessons of self-advocacy: finding strategies that support the way you work, rather than trying to force yourself into systems that don't. 

Body doubling won't work for everyone, and it doesn't have to. But if it helps make one task feel a little more manageable, or one day feel a little less lonely, it might be worth giving it a try. 

After all, accessibility isn't always about changing a building or a policy. Sometimes it's about changing how we support one another. And sometimes, simply having someone there—even quietly—is enough to help us take the next step. 

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Jenine Lillian (Jenine, they/them) is an #ActuallyAutistic neurodiversity consultant, educator, artist, writer, and librarian based in the West Kootenays, BC. They serve as Regional Director: Kootenays for the BC People First Society. Learn more about Jenine's work at www.jeninelillian.com