The first time I heard about virtual co-working a few years ago, I thought it sounded silly and possibly pointless.
Then, I tried it for the first time.
(In case you don't know, virtual co-working involves meeting up in a Zoom room, telling the other people there what you're planning to work on, and then doing what you said you'd do for a specified amount of time. At the end, you report back on how things went.)
It doesn't sound like it would be very different than just doing some work by yourself, but it is.
It's kind of a magical thing.
There's a tiny bit of interacting with other friendly people, you don't have to worry about the time, you said you'd do something and thus feel mildly pressured to actually do it, and you know that an end is in sight. You don't have to finish anything, you just have to work on it during the session.
Somehow, I get more done in co-working than I would on my own in the same amount of time. I do things I've been putting off for an embarrassingly long time, like finishing up charting, or dealing with insurance stuff, or cleaning off my desk.
It's an adult version of parallel play. We're better off just because we show up and work alongside each other.
The reason I'm telling you this is because I think it's worth a try. Especially if you have a long list of "I'll get to that eventually" items.
You can try co-working using Focusmate (it's free to do up to 3 sessions per week). I like a group setting, so I started running my own co-working sessions on Tuesdays from 2-3 pm ET. The fall co-working season is starting next week. It's free, it doesn't lead into anything, there are no sales pitches, anyone can join for some/all of the sessions. I just do it because I find it helpful, and I hope you will, too.
Or, start your own with a few other people. All you need is a virtual space and a regular time to meet.
It really does make a difference for some of us
Take care,
Camille