An invitation for ADHD writers that are tired of forcing focus

Join us for an 8 week on ramp back into progress

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I spent years minimizing how much I wanted to write because of my struggles with being consistent.

Some days the words flowed effortlessly, but often I couldn’t even bring myself to open a document. Over time, I started to believe that wanting to write didn’t really count if I couldn’t do it reliably. It felt safer to treat writing like a “nice idea” rather than something I could take seriously and get paid to do

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I wasn’t failing at writing. I was trying to write without the supports my neurodivergent brain needs.

One of the biggest shifts in my work came when I stopped asking, “How do I force myself to focus?” and started asking, “What conditions make focus easier for me?”

I found many answers to those questions but two stood out. Body doubling and flexible structure.

I have been using body doubling as a strategy in many areas of life long before I knew there was a word for it. If you are unfamiliar with the concept, body doubling is deceptively simple.

You work independently alongside someone else, virtually or in person.

Body doubling might be the reason you finally feel motivated to clean the kitchen while your teenager is doing homework at the table. It could be why you always call your mom and have her on speaker while you do laundry. Body doubling is also why so many writers get the most accomplished when they work from a coffee shop.

For ADHDers, the presence of others matters more than we realize. When someone else is quietly working near us, it creates a gentle external anchor for attention. It adds just enough accountability to reduce task avoidance and builds a sense of shared momentum that makes starting feel less overwhelming.

The Role of Flexible Structure

Many ADHD writers are told that what they really need to make progress is more structure.

Sometimes that can be true, but often traditional productivity advice swings too hard in that direction. We are told the answer is to “write every day at the same time” or “reach a daily word count and never break the streak.” For some people this may work, but for ADHDers the answer isn’t usually this simple.

Rigid structure leaves very little room for our large energy swings, fluctuating focus and emotional regulation struggles. When we inevitably fall behind, shame shows up and shuts down our creativity.

Flexible structure works differently. It offers clear guardrails like when we’re working and what we’re focusing on, while still allowing choice in how we show up within those containers. It creates permission to adapt without abandoning the goal entirely. Instead of asking, “Can I force myself to follow this plan?” the question becomes, “How can this plan support me?”

Body doubling without structure can feel aimless. Structure without flexibility can feel suffocating. Together, they can create something powerful. This combination provides a reason to show up, a place to put your attention, and enough adaptability to keep going when motivation dips.

This is exactly why Jesse and I are hosting an 8-week body double challenge for writers, starting Tuesday, February 3rd for paid subscribers.

Participant writers will choose one meaningful project to focus on, show up to weekly body doubling sessions for shared momentum, and work within a flexible structure designed specifically for ADHD brains.

If writing has felt harder than it should, if you know what you want to work on but can’t seem to sustain momentum, or if you’re tired of starting over every few months, this is a gentle on-ramp back into progress.

Become a paid subscriber today to ensure you have all the details of the challenge along with access to other upcoming special events.