Discover Your Third Space: Unique Places in NYC and Miami to Make Your Own
Whether you consider it a home away from home, or an escape from work, your third space should be sacred and accessible. Finding one though can sometimes feel like a daunting task.
Making space for yourself is crucial to your well-being. While finding a third space to support your wellness might seem stressful in itself, it’s a guaranteed way to incorporate relaxation and support into your spirit and livelihood.
We’ve all had those thoughts when we’re stressed. Put myself out there? Pass. Vulnerability? More like liability. Worth the effort? No.
In the dullness of daily routines and structures, you risk losing your spirit slowly by succumbing to what the world knows as burnout.
The potential for losing your soul seems to occur more frequently in ever-changing landscapes like the tech industry. Though, no matter what industry you find yourself in, without proper self-care, soon you’ll find yourself on autopilot from home to work to back to home again; or maybe you’re a remote worker and instead of two spaces, you just have one.
What are third spaces?
In the nineties, an American sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third spaces” as a way to describe neutral public communal spaces outside of everyone’s first and second places: home and work. Third spaces offer opportunities for individuals to enrich their quality of life with community and social engagement.
It’s important to understand that third spaces reserve space for people, anyone, to show up, be seen, engage, and live life as they are. Poor, rich, cis, trans, documented, undocumented, local, tourist — doesn’t matter. The primary purpose of third spaces is to level the playing ground and offer more opportunities for connection and community. However, because of capitalism, accessible third spaces are becoming less and less accessible.
These havens can be anything from coffee shops selling overpriced and culturally appropriated iced matcha lattes to dimly lit dive bars with trivia nights and sticky floors. For others, it might look like a quiet spot along a Church pew. Any space outside of the comfort of your own home and without the restraints of work can be your third place if you let it.
How to find a third space
If you’re going to put yourself out there, do it somewhere you can make it count. Coffee shops and bars are great places to exist in public spaces, but if you’re looking to soothe your soul, you can do better. Seize the opportunity to make your third space central to uplifting your well-being, character, and dreams.
So, how do you find the perfect third space? Start with reflecting on what feeds your passion. Focus on the activities and places that bring you joy and make it worthwhile to leave the house. Or maybe these places are not so much outside of the house, but an online escape from your life.
Investing in your quality of life is easier said than done, but the next step is to take action. Veer off your course to burnout by practicing intentionality and make your own way to somewhere supportive.
You deserve space
Regardless of how big the city is or how small it feels, there is space for you to occupy. It’s just a matter of taking it because you deserve it. You deserve to have havens outside of your obligations and space from restraints.
With that being said, allow the Violet Verse to hold your hand and guide you down the path toward the third space you’re entitled to enter.
The next step? Download our 15 recommended third spaces in New York City and our 15 favorite spots in Miami.
