Virtual coworking is a rising trend rooted in something deeply human: the need to feel seen, supported, and not alone in our efforts. At its core, virtual coworking is the practice of working alongside someone else over a video or audio connection - each person focusing on their own task, with the simple presence of the other helping to provide structure, accountability, and emotional regulation. Research shows that co-regulation, the calming of our nervous system through connection with another person, can reduce anxiety, increase focus, and even help manage executive dysfunction, especially in neurodivergent individuals. The mere presence of another person can activate a subtle sense of accountability and motivation, while lowering the stress hormones that often build up when we feel overwhelmed or isolated.

This approach is being embraced by students, remote workers, creatives, and folks managing chronic illness or neurodivergence. In a virtual coworking session, people might tidy up their space, respond to emails, write papers, work on art, do administrative tasks, or even sort through emotional to-dos like bills or journaling. For some, it’s simply a quiet space to fold laundry while someone else organizes their desktop. For others, it’s a way to engage in focused deep work, with breaks for mindful check-ins and emotional grounding. Whether it’s to tackle the mundane or the meaningful, virtual coworking offers a soft structure and sense of companionship, reminding us that progress doesn’t have to be solitary to be productive.