We all strive to frequently visit our “happy place,” but have you ever heard of “third places?” If not, here’s your fun fact of the day.
If your home is your first place, then work is your second place, and your “third place” is something else entirely outside your home or office. (Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term!) It’s a neutral, welcoming place. Think: coffee shops, community centers, libraries, or co-working spaces.
“It’s where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances. These places are cheap or free. They’re open to people from all walks of life,” writes Rebekah White.
The rise of third places
After the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen more than ever that people crave in-person connections. Third places are an incredible way to do this, even for introverts. Third places allow people to connect with their community, see friendly faces, and relax – without the pressures of hosting an event.
If you’ve been working remotely, you know that sometimes, you need to leave the house. (Or is that just us?) And, if you’re a military spouse, you know how difficult it can be to find “your people” after each PCS.
It can be intimidating (we get it!) but don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll learn.
Come hang out with us!
If you’re in the Fort Bragg area, you can check out our new Twelve Million Plus co-working space. When we launched the Twelve Million Plus app, we knew we wanted to create a space where military spouses could gather, network, and connect. It’s our version of a third place!
We’ve spent months designing our kid-friendly location and are excited to welcome military spouses and verified Twelve Million Plus members into our space. Want to join us? Don’t miss our special co-working Fridays from 9 am – 3 pm.
Download Twelve Million Plus and join our community today! (It’s free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store!)
