Why You Need A Third Space
You need a “third space.” For most people, their first space is their home and their second space is work. Many people travel to work and then return home each day. But it’s very important to have a third space as well.
We all need another place to feel safe and happy. Work and home are great, but having another special place is important.
For most of my life, my third space has been the gym. The gym was a place where I went most every day, improved my life, enjoyed my time, and saw people that I knew and enjoyed talking to. The addition of a great workout partner helps to make your time at the gym more fun and more productive.
But like many people, I became self-employed, making home and work basically the same space. So the gym became my second space and I needed a new third space.
When I moved to Orlando in 2000, my new third space became the theme parks. I moved to Florida with just this in mind, as I love spending time in the beauty and fun of the parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida. It seemed that at least once each week or so I would take time to escape the real world and spend time in a different place. Whether meandering around the countries at Epcot or sitting on a wall in the middle of Hogsmeade at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter drinking a frozen butterbeer, I could turn off the stresses of my life and work and relax into an environment that I loved.
In 2022 I moved to Tampa to live with my now-husband and open a Bed & Breakfast, the Phantom History House. Working at home and being a bit of a drive from the Orlando parks, I needed to find a new third space. (I still visit the parks, but less frequently.) During the renovation my third place was clearly Lowes where I made as many as four trips a day! But since that time I have been surprised to find that my new third space has become Publix! The B&B requires a lot of trips to get ready for guests, buy fresh fruit as they arrive, and prepare delicious baked goods to enhance their stay. It’s rare for a day to go by that I don’t find myself running into Publix. Luckily, it’s literally next door to my gym so it’s easy to add to my life.
If you find yourself without a third space, I encourage you to find one. Find a place to exercise, volunteer, or hang out. I’ve had self-employed friends who spent part of their day working at a Starbucks or other coffee shop. The idea it to escape and get away from your regular home/work environment. Adding this fresh space to your day is important. Talk with your friends for suggestions if you need to find this place for your life. You’ll be glad you did!
Tim Hinton
January 21, 2024
