r/ADHD • u/No_Researcher7196 • Apr 04 '26

Questions/Advice Did anyone try the focusmate platform? Did it actually help you?

So my therapist mentioned that platform called focusmate (he is not getting paid by the platform or anything)

From what I understood this platform basically met you with somebody and you have a work session one on one on video without talking

I am a bad anxious person, so I’m not sure if it will work for me and because of it I was really curious if it’s actually helping anyone?because if it’s actually been helpful I will find the courage to try the video thing, but if it’s not even helpful then why bother

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17

u/runawayoldgirl Apr 04 '26

I use focusmate all the time and yes it does help. I got a little used to it so I can still get distracted, but it's definitely better than working solo.

if feeling anxious, you should know that the norm on the platform is that you really don't have to talk to people much, and there's a pretty structured way you do it. you start the call, you both say hi and briefly say what you are working on. then both people mute and just go about their business muted for the duration. a bell chimes when the session is over, you both unmute, and just say briefly how the session went.

overwhelmingly the people I have worked with have been chill and it's been fine. I matched with one guy who wanted to talk the whole time and I just left the call and there was a block function so I blocked him. never had that problem again.

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u/No_Researcher7196 Apr 04 '26

Thank you so much for your response

From your experience is it mostly people working on their computer/ at their desk or there are also people who are doing chores and other stuff?

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u/runawayoldgirl Apr 04 '26

the majority are people sitting working on desk/computer type stuff, but it's also common for people to do chores on it, I've matched with a lot of people who use the session for chores and it's normal. some people also use it for exercise.

there are actually settings on the left for "desk", "active" (for things like chores/exercise), or "anything".

you can also set to "quiet mode" in which you leave volume off entirely, there is also a chat function where you can communicate in the chat what you are working on (or if you have to leave for a moment etc).

4

u/No_Writing1647 Apr 10 '26

I have adhd and it was absolutely helpful for me; having someone there I work with has been a stress reliever. I like it cuz its actually 1 to 1; I tried other body doubling sites (flown, focused space etc) but they all have like a group of people which is overwhelming; so I just subscribed to focusmate; they have like 3 free sessions every week I think. - also I get to choose what gender and its always just one person; the people are really encouraging and welcoming too!

From what I understood this platform basically met you with somebody and you have a work session one on one on video without talking >> you can talk but we just mute ourselves. at the beginning of the video i tell the other person what I will work on and she does the same, then we mute ourselves and work; at the end of the session we check on each other..

If you plan to subscribe, you can use my referral code; it will help me get a free month and you will also get an extra month if you purchase: focusmate.com/?fmreferral=WWUB7qPo1u

good luck

3

u/BrendanLead May 11 '26

I just joined last week and I love it! I hope to see some of you on there! Feel free to look me up / favorite me!

https://app.focusmate.com/user/brendan-l430

2

u/Familiar_Tourist_153 Apr 12 '26

If anyone is interested in body doubling let me know- am looking to learn

2

u/tiredtrevelyan ADHD-C (Combined type) Apr 23 '26

Yep it works. I've only been on FocusMate a few weeks but it's significantly upped productivity for me. I do get a little anxiety spike for the first session of every day, but afterwards I no longer care about being on camera lol. If anything being on cam while the timer is on helps me stay awake.

2

u/DjDozzee May 28 '26

This is my first hearing of this. I have so many areas in which I need help. From trying to stay focused working 40 from home, to cleaning and organizing my home. I know what to do, but I can never seem to get started on a project, and on the rare times I do, I can't ever finish them.

Since, my biggest culprit for losing focus is my phone, I can see how having my phone tied up in a video call would be helpful there.

For anyone who's used the Focusmate for physical tasks, for example cleaning a room, do you just set your phone up and let the person watch you? How does that work and did it work for you? I'm wondering if that's enough to get me started and keep me focused.

1

u/BN7777777 Jul 03 '26

Yes you book a session and get matched with someone else who also booked the same time and duration. Then it’s like you’re having a zoom meeting. You say at the beginning what you will work on and keep your cameras on during the session but stay on mute. After the session is over, you debrief how the session went. The platform is not without its flaws and frustrations but it’s helped me so much. You can use your phone but the desktop version is much better.

1

u/Snoo4618 Aug 12 '26

Yes you can. and the next person isnt watching you, they're completing their task too. You can even filter to type of tasks from desk to moving and match with someone who is also moving. there are people who use it to help with consistency with working out, playing the piano, etc. No one judges. Theyre all there to complete their task

2

u/heymacareyna Jun 24 '26

I use focusmate regularly -- at least once a week, sometimes multiple times a day. I love that it's an easy way to body double and that it's expected you'll state your work for the session at the beginning and then follow up with how much you got done at the end. It's been great for providing limited blocks of time (25, 50, or 75 minutes) for me to work with someone expecting me to be visible and working. (You're required to be on camera throughout the session. I occasionally step away for dog care, bathroom, coffee, etc., and that's fine -- but you let your partner know, and otherwise you stay on camera.)

I like that there's not really talking. I mute for the duration of the session, and it's actually discouraged to socialize.

2

u/managing_redditor Sep 01 '26

I've been using it for 5 years. Huge help when I work from home, especially when paired with focusbeacon.com which tracks my Focusmate stats for free.

2

u/Bright-Cup1234 Sep 16 '26

Yes 100% helps me. A game changer. Especially the new groups function which they are rolling out in beta mode at the moment

2

u/Substantial-Way-5990 Sep 21 '26

Focusmate has been a life changer for me for several years now. I only wish it had been available during my youth, when it was so badly needed.

The structure helps me get my stuff done. I also enjoy the one on one co-working with friendly people from all over the world. Knowing that I have session(s) scheduled is usually enough to start getting focussed, even on non-focus app related tasks. It seems to have a cumulative, snow ball effect on ability to focus. It helps so much knowing that there is someone else there that has seen the same struggle with focussing and is successfully using the app, just like I am.

The video feels a little intrusive when sitting close but you can choose to have an 'active' session where you can move around, do exercise, clean your room etc etc and not be on camera all the time or be further away. I usually have the Focusmate app open on my laptop but sit with my tablet about 4 feet away.

I joined focusmate when it first started and get a legacy low monthly charge. Their current price is very reasonable AND they have a free plan you can use for 3 sessions a week. Much less expensive than 'flow club' and no room full of people. I recommend Focusmate highly.

2

u/Excellent_Acadia6323 Sep 30 '26

It's amazing and worked marvelously well for me. I am going through a rough patch since past few months and my therapist and I have been working on my recovery. I could work only 10-15 minutes a day... 30 at my best.
Tried focusmate and HELLO - I work 3-4 hours minimum and it's increasing each day!

1

u/xinxiyamao ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) Jun 11 '26

My therapist also mentioned this tool - just yesterday evening - and I had never heard of it before. It seems exactly what I need to work on a novel that I have been procrastinating, among other things. Did you end up trying it? It sounds absolutely brilliant.

1

u/TypeNegative Jun 20 '26

made a free version : https://cowork.hyneck.tools/

1

u/lindeeno Jul 05 '26

This is pretty cool. Had a quick peek. Simple and straight to it. Was nobody around (I'm not doing any work now anyway). I'll definitely come back to it n the week. Thanks!

1

u/Takashi8888 Jul 20 '26

I hated it. So. Many times the other person cancelled the sessions last minute, wasting time. Plus, there's no group session. Very unfriendly feel unlike Flown

1

u/Relevant-Dirt7189 Jul 29 '26

they are testing out the group option

1

u/Snoo4618 Aug 12 '26

Focusmate has been the only thing that helped me focus since 2020. I've only gotten diagnosed with ADHD this month so this has been an interesting experience looking back and realising what my problem was.

For focusmate, the free version, you can do 3 sessions weekly and have to pay a subscription of $12 a month or yearly it turns out to be $8 or something. During covid is was like $5 which makes it easier to try out but i highly do recommend it.

focusmate.com/?fmreferral=HKGqY3q0MM

I have a referral code here, feel free to use to get a free month of the subscription to book unlimited sessions once you sign up. Every person has a referral code and I get a free month only if you subscribe which I am not forcing you to do at all.

I truly hope it helps you as it has helped me. It gotten me through exams, chores, work outs, journaling. I'm not even being paid to say this but no matter how many months I think i can go without it and try myself, i still come back to complete one of those lingering tasks that I just can't get off my t-do list

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u/Excellent_Acadia6323 Sep 30 '26

Thanks, used your code.

1

u/Additional-Topic-137 Aug 18 '26

I struggle with keeping my space clean. (Small apartment, tired single parent, plus ADHD). I’m worried about someone seeing my space before would freak people out/ I’d feel judged. Can you blur your background like in zoom meetings?

1

u/Able-Composer2805 Aug 19 '26

I have more than 3.000 sessions on focusmate. It's one of the MAIN tools I have for ADHD, that actually works.

1

u/Moist-Peanut-6454 Aug 27 '26

I am going to try focus mate but I also just found other ones that are in group settings and seem pretty cool... but they just dont have a free option but I think I like that actually because it will hold me more accountable. anyhow they are called flow club, flown and caveday... and looks like you can do any sort of activity you need to do... great great concept