The Power of Others (Why Body Doubling Works)

Personal growth is hard, but like so many things in life, sometimes the hardest part is getting started.

If you've found yourself here at AllMinds, you probably want to journal, reflect, and work on yourself, but then life gets busy and it gets pushed to the back burner. This just goes to shows that even the things you really want to do can feel strangely difficult to begin. 

But something interesting happens when another person is simply present with you. You don't even have to talk. You just...begin. This is body doubling. 

Body doubling is when two or more people share a space (in person or virtually) while working independently, using each other's presence to stay focused, grounded, and intentional with their time. 

Body doubling isn't new. In fact, it's something that you've probably experienced without even noticing. If you've ever felt like you've studied better in the library than at home, or you get more done at a coffee shop, or cleaning is more efficient when someone else is in the same room, you've experienced body doubling. You are not working with each, rather alongside each other. 

So, why does body doubling work? 

It works because it provides external accountability without adding pressure. Simply having someone else present helps your brain register that you're using this time to be intentional, keeping you focused on what is in front of you and less likely to drift. It also helps to reduce decision fatigue because you've already "shown up." There is less friction to start, so it becomes easier for your brain to just keep going rather than begin. Body doubling also creates a sense of shared intention, reminding you that you aren't the only person trying to grow, reflect, create, and focus. This helps to build community and reduce feelings of isolation. Finally, body doubling is a gentle way to regulate the nervous system. Humans are wired to connect and we feel more grounded in the presence of others. With your nervous system supported, focus becomes much easier. 

It's clear that body doubling can be helpful for so many different things, but at AllMinds we believe that it's even more important for personal growth activities. Personal growth is so challenging to do alone, especially in a society that prioritizes putting others and work ahead of ourselves. Unlike external deadlines, personal growth has no immediate consequences, external pressures, or fixed timelines, making it easy to postpone. Not because you don't care, but because it exists in the quiet space of your own responsibility. We want to create a container for that space.

This is where journaling club comes in! No more need to motivation, because motivation is inherently unreliable. Instead, we create an environment designed for reflection and growth because environment is reliable. You don't force it, you simply follow it. For AllMinds, journaling club is a space that happens once a month online where we all dedicate an hour to our personal growth journeys. Cameras can be on or off, there's no pressure to speak or expectation to perform, you can simply work on your journaling and creative practices! 

Ready to kickstart your journey with the power of body doubling behind you? Join us! Our journaling club exists to provide a shared, intentional space. A place where you can show up, open your journal or other workbook, and simply begin, knowing others are doing the same. 

Growth is hard in isolation, but it happens when we create a space for it, together.