Entrepreneurs, solo business owners, and remote professionals are already more likely to feel isolated and lonely at work—and all the anxiety and adverse mental effects that come from isolation. But this ongoing trend is compounded by an invisible problem: the loss of our typical third places. Without a place to go that isn't home or work (especially when those two are the exact same location), more and more people are feeling stressed, overworked, and like they can never fully escape an ever-present task list.
Does that sound familiar to you? If so, take a moment to learn about what "third places" are and why they're so vital, and then see what steps you can take to find a solution.
What Is a Third Place?
Sociologists have defined three key places that people need to have in their lives:
- Home, or the first place
- Work, or the second place
- A harder-to-define third place, which is a center for recreation and socialization
Ray Oldenburg established the idea of the "third place" as a vital component of feeling part of a community and strengthening democracy. These places are public but allow for relaxation among old and new friends or acquaintances. There don't even have to be core activities or projects (though that can help form the place)—some common examples of third places are parks, makerspaces, gyms, coffee shops, community centers, churches, and bars.
In Oldenburg's "The Great Good Place," which describes the theory of third places in much more detail, there are eight essential factors that a solid third place must have:
- Accessibility
- Conversation, especially friendly and fun conversation, is the primary activity
- Deprioritization of social status, i.e., everyone's on a level playing field
- The third place is neutral ground, and no one is forced to be there
- The place is wholesome, cozy, and welcoming
- Playful overall mood
- There are "regulars" who establish the tone but also a regular influx of newcomers
- Occupants consider the space to be a home away from home
Finding a space like this is hard for many people in today's fast-paced world. People who work in isolation can struggle to take the first steps toward exploring prospective third places. They don't have coworkers inviting them out to neutral locations like bars or bowling alleys, and it can be nerve-wracking to explore new places without an entry point or guide.
How to Make Your Coworking Space Your "Third Place"
Because of that difficulty, some people give up their search entirely. Alternatively, if you're an extrovert or have a lot of local friends, you might be comfortable exploring new locations, trying to find a third place that fits your routine, and syncing up with neighbors or people in your local community. But if you work in a coworking space—or have been considering shifting more of your work time to a coworking space—you have an easy avenue to finding your third place: the coworking space itself.
Many coworking spaces offer a wide range of amenities that are on the periphery of professional work. These include:
- Coffee shops and restaurants
- Small community centers or recreational spots for chatting or taking a break from work
- Discounted memberships to gyms, yoga studios, and other recreation centers
- Conference rooms and an active calendar of networking, non-profit, and social events
These options are convenient, both in terms of their location and in terms of how easy it is to join up as a "newcomer" and decide if you want to participate enough to become a regular. You can casually attend the events and converse with people. If you're curious about turning a coworking space near you into your go-to third place, take these steps:
- Look up your coworking space's event calendar to see what's available. In particular, look for open sessions or recurring events.
- Explore your coworking space, and spend time in its extensions like the coffee shops or gyms. Chat with regulars or work on non-work projects at an open table to encourage people to do the same—you might be setting the foundational stage of a new place.
- Ask your coworking space what deals or perks they offer. This can be the gateway to finding a gym membership or local group.
Find Your Ideal Space With Quest Workspaces
Finding your third place is vital for socializing, feeling rejuvenated, and becoming more involved in your community. At Quest Workspaces, we want to help all of our members find a third place that feels like home.
Visit one of our NYC or South Florida locations in person to start your search or contact us online.
