This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Hannah Yarrington. Find her on Instagram at @513hny. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
In this day and age, especially among us Zillennials, many of us spend the majority of our time in two different places; home and work. But this creates a problem for many people, and it causes them to seek another place in their lives where they can escape from the redundancy of seeing the same place every day. This issue brings up the third place theory and why it has become a vital part of many societies across the globe. So today, we’re going to discuss what a third place looks like and ways you can find one for yourself.
What is the third place theory?
The third place theory describes a place as somewhere that harbors social interaction where you can have a sense of community and not think about the stress of other parts of your life. It’s somewhere where you can escape from your first place, your home, and your second place, where you work.
These third places are meant to be where you can interact with those in your life, maybe your friends, be free to talk, meet new people who live near you, and create connections with them. It is a place where you can feel comfortable and have a sense of belonging, where you don’t feel judged for existing. It is overall a social space for you to be in on a consistent basis, where you can interact with people you wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
Where to find a third place
Finding a third place in America has become difficult for many people, especially if you live in an unwalkable area that is sprawled out. Other countries kind of have the third place down to a science and have defined communities that are easy to get yourself involved in, given how intimate the country is geography-wise. So, though finding a third place may take a little grunt work, it is not impossible, and there are several different areas you can look into first.
- Coffee shops – Having a local coffee shop is a place that most people tend to gravitate towards first. Most have a lovely, cozy atmosphere, with ample seating and people sitting around doing various tasks. It is an easy place to meet up with friends, read a book, and meet new people. But I understand if it is not within your budget to be able to buy a coffee every day, and there are definitely other spaces that don’t require money or the temptation to spend money.
- Local Library – For me personally, my university library has turned into a third place for me and is not only a place where I can sit down and do my school work, but I can also relax with friends, catch up on some reading, and be around my peers. If you have a local library near you, I implore you to check it out and turn it into a little spot for yourself.
- Parks – Having a park as your third place not only allows you to connect with nature better but also makes it a fun social place where you can sit, people-watch, exercise, and meet people from your community. This can be weather-dependent depending on where you live, and it might not be as accessible to be in the park during the winter months, but you can always turn to the other places I mentioned earlier when it might be too cold outside to be at the park.
My advice is to take note of what places you have in your area and where you notice a lot of people tend to congregate. Think about what you would want to use a third place for in your personal life, and that will help you make the appropriate choice. Where can you feel free from the restraints of society and feel comfortable with the people there? Overall, having somewhere you can exist outside of your house and work is essential to our mental health, and I hope you find somewhere you feel satisfied.
What do you think of the third place theory? What is your favorite third place? Let us know!
Leave a Reply