Discovering Your Third Space: Where Connection Meets Well-Being
January 2026 | Health + Wellness
article by Maria Weidich
“What suburbia cries for are the means for people to gather easily, inexpensively, regularly, and pleasurably – a ‘place on the corner,’ real life alternatives to television…”
-RAY OLDENBURG
When life starts to feel like a never-ending loop between home and work, it’s easy to forget there’s space for something more. Somewhere to exhale, connect and simply be. Sociologists call this the third space, a place that exists outside our daily routines where community and belonging take root. And when winter shortens our days, leaning into your third space might just be the antidote to the dreaded winter blues.
THE PLACE BETWEEN HOME AND WORK
The concept of the third space was first popularized by Ray Oldenburg who described it as the informal settings where community life happens. Third spaces “host the regular, voluntary, informal and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work,” Oldenburg wrote in his 1990 book The Great Good Place. Areas where people gather and relationships flourish like neighborhood parks, public libraries or fitness centers can be considered a third space.
WHY THESE PLACES MATTER
Third spaces play an integral role in our own health as well as our community’s health. On a personal level, third spaces strengthen our mental and emotional well-being by offering connection and a sense of belonging. Unlike home (the first space) or work (the second), third spaces aren’t about obligation; they are about choice. Sharing space in a social setting can lower stress and increase our feelings of joy, which, in turn, can combat isolation and depression during the cold, darker months.
On a community level, third spaces are the glue that holds our neighborhoods together. A local coffee shop, yoga studio, or dog park becomes a hub of exchange that creates common ground between people who might not otherwise cross paths. And when these spacesthrive, entire communities do too.
FINDING YOUR PLACE TO BELONG
Your own third space should feed something that’s missing at home and work. Are you craving more peace and quiet or lively connection? Do you want to create, move, learn or just be around people? A true third space leaves you feeling lighter and more fulfilled than when you arrived. Your third space feels accessible and comfortable, where you can truly come as you are. Instead of focusing on finding the perfect third space, find one that feels like you belong.
MAKE YOUR OWN THIRD SPACE
While our community is bursting with ready-made third spaces, you don’t need a public venue to find connection, and nothing is stopping you from creating your own. Host a cozy soup night, start a weekly run or walk with friends or organize a craft or game night at home. A third space doesn’t have to be public. Even a living room or backyard can become a hub for community and meaningful interaction. As winter settles in and a new year begins, find that space that feels like a deep breath. Somewhere you can recharge and feel like you belong. Start small, stay curious and let connection be your compass.
Click here for a printable to find out what your third spaces could be!
Originally printed in the January 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine
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