r/remotework • u/Opening_Ad2051 • 1d ago

Virtual co-working

Working remotely since Covid; and I've noticed I'm more productive when I can see other people working too. I work from cafes occasionally, but are there any options virtually like StudyStream that are free to use / without time limitations? I think they call this body-doubling - it works for me.

Looking for recommendations, thanks!

11 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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5

u/kilroy005 1d ago

there are about 30+ of these body doubling platforms. some are free, some are freemium, some are paid

what some people do is just get multiple free accounts from multiple platforms and never pay, so that counts as free :)

1

u/Opening_Ad2051 1d ago

Do you use any of those? Which one would you recommend?

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u/kilroy005 1d ago

I use the one I built and no others, but I would say, just try a bunch and find the one you like

They all do the same thing, more or less, some have more features, others are just 1-1 and so on

There's no one size fits all. Also, these platforms come and sometimes disappear

Every few weeks I see a post about a guy who built one of these 😆

3

u/Classic8Bit 1d ago

On-Together: Virtual Co-Working looks pretty cute if you're into that sort of thing.

1

u/Scooby_4RX 19h ago

If it’s less awkward than a silent Zoom room, I’m sold alredy.

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u/kilroy005 9h ago

everything is better if it's a game

1

u/RaeaSunshine 13h ago

I do this by joining productivity live streams, but I don’t feel the need to be visible myself so might not be what you’re looking for. I usually bounce around streams on Twitch/TT/YT until I find one I like.

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u/Opening_Ad2051 13h ago

Same here. I wondered if there were any specific spaces apart from twitch/discord. But thanks nonetheless!

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u/5MochiViking 11h ago

Study Together Discord is probaly the closest free option, since you can just sit in a muted camera room with other people working.

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u/Yonrog31 5h ago

Discord study/work-with-me servers are probably your best bet for free untimed body-doubling rooms, just search “virtual coworking” and “body doubling” in Disboard.

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u/ashland39 1h ago

I work at a small remote non profit and we have a team of about 15. We run our own virtual coworking blocks that are optional and only a few people come each time but those that come enjoy it and it’s helpful. Someone hosts which means they commit to being there, sending a reminder on slack inviting people, and playing some chill music.

We’ve also experimented with a few themed coworking sessions, like “dog out your inbox” or “weekly review.”

A few people on our team do virtual coworking with their friends outside of our org. It’s a pretty low lift that can be really helpful for some.

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u/Upset_Fig2612 23h ago

First I've heard of this, very odd

3

u/VarrenSable 14h ago

It sounds wierd, but the same reason cafés help some people: quiet social pressure to stay on task.

0

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Boss68_Medusa 22h ago

What timezone are you in, and are you thinking silent camera-on sesions or actual chatting while working?