Creating a Third Space
Disclaimer: I am not a professional advisor. Nothing in this post should be used as professional advice. I am simply sharing my personal experience and what I have observed in regards to wellness. Please contact a professional advisor if you are in need of further advice.
One…Two…Three
As adults, a lot of us spend the majority of our time in two different spaces. Consider your ‘first space’ to be your home. This is where you live and typically spend the most amount of your time in comfort. Your ‘second space’ is your place of work. This is where you typically spend the majority of your time outside of your home (part time job, full time job, volunteer work, education, etc). Over time, going back and forth between these places can feel like an exhausting and repetitive pattern. It is essential to have an additional space where you can identify with a new community and escape this repetitive pattern. Enter the idea of a third space! A third space is a place where you can enjoy yourself with activities or experiences alongside others in your community that exist outside of your first and second space. If you are wondering how to find a third space that is right for you, you are in the right place!
Connection & Community
Nearly all of us have felt lonely or isolated from society at some point in our lives. Feeling like you are a part of a community can be extremely beneficial to your mental health, and important to your self development journey. It can create a sense of belonging and support that you may not feel otherwise. As humans we all strive to feel connected to those around us. What better way to feel that sense of connection we long for than joining in on some kind of fun activity, athletics, club, event or experience? The opportunities are out there, but you just have to be willing to search for the right one for you!
Where do I go from here?
Now at this point you might be open to the idea of finding a third space, but may be wondering where to look or how to get started. The first thing you will want to do is consider your interests. What kind of activities make you feel the most intrigued or excited? Where are your favorite public places to go? Who do you want to meet or spend more time with? Once you understand more of what you’re looking for, you’ll have a better idea of what you want your third space to become. Here are some examples of places, activities and people that can be a part of your third space.
Places
-Gym
-Coffee Shop
-Yoga studio
-Café
-Park
-Restaurant/Bar
-Library
People
-Family
-Friends
-Neighbors
-Coworkers
Activities
-Book Club
-Fitness Class
-Volunteer Program
-Farmers Market
-Sports Club
Once you solidify what it is you want to be a part of, do some research about what is available in your area. Ask around to friends, family members, and coworkers to see if they would like to join you or if they have ideas of what you could do. This can become more than just a third space, and serve as a bonding experience with loved ones, too.
Create it yourself
There is a possibility that you will not be able to find something that interests you enough to take part in. It is, however, always a possibility for you to create something of your own that can become your third space. If you love to read and long to share that love of your favorite books with others, you can start a book club at your local coffee shop or library. Maybe your favorite form of exercise is yoga and you want to share that with others. Simply create a yoga club at a nearby park. You might be surprised by how many people around you are willing to join! If it is more appealing for your third space to be something you do on your own, it is always an option to complete these activities by yourself as well.
We can be your third space, too!
If you are having trouble finding some kind of space or community to be a part of and do not have the time to create and organize something yourself, look no further! Consider becoming a member at The Weekly Club in your search to finding a third space. Since the events we offer monthly are completely virtual, you have the opportunity to take your device anywhere you’d like to participate. Our upcoming events consist of fun activities and advice sessions that will allow you to make connections with others and help keep your mind of off all other responsibilities and stressors. Feel free to invite your friends to join in on the fun along with you and make it a monthly occasion that makes it out of the group chat! If you would like to attend our next event click the button below!
