Places That Hold Us: The Power of Third Spaces

There’s something special about the places that aren’t home and aren’t work—but feel like they could be either. Places where you don’t have to perform, produce, or explain yourself. Just show up, maybe sip something warm, exist among other humans, and maybe—just maybe—start to feel a little more connected.

Sociologists call these third spaces—the first being home, the second being work or school. Third spaces are those in-between places: cafés, bookstores, community centers, libraries, parks, barber shops, even the corner of a bookstore where two comfy chairs face each other. They're not just places we go—they’re places we feel.

They feel safe. Familiar. Rooted. Unrushed.

Third spaces are where conversations linger. Where people bump into one another and catch up, even if it's just for a few minutes. They’re where strangers become familiar faces, and familiar faces slowly become friends. They're where you can sit alone, headphones in, book open—and still feel part of something.

But here's the thing: a lot of people don’t know what a third space is, even though they’ve probably felt one before.

It’s that coffee shop you always went to during college, where you didn’t need to buy anything fancy to hang out. It’s the local bookstore with readings on Friday nights. It’s that one cozy park bench where you always saw someone sketching or reading or writing. These are the places where people are allowed to simply be.

And we’re losing them.

More and more third spaces have disappeared—casual gathering spots replaced by efficiency, productivity, and digital connection. And while the internet has its place, it’s not the same as sitting across from someone in real life. We were never meant to live in isolation. We’re wired for connection. For community. For places where we can exhale.

Loneliness is everywhere right now, and I don’t think it’s because people don’t want to connect. I think we’ve just forgotten how. Or maybe we’ve forgotten where.

But we can remember. We can recreate. We can rebuild.

So what do we do now?

If this concept of third spaces feels like a missing puzzle piece, you’re not alone. The good news is: you don’t have to build a café to create community. Here are a few ways to start bringing the spirit of third spaces back into your life:

✨ Seek them out – Visit your local library. Try that cozy little coffee shop you’ve passed a dozen times. Sit in the park with a book. Go to a craft night, a poetry reading, or a community class—just to see who else shows up.

✨ Support what already exists – If a space is trying to be a community hub (even if imperfectly), support it. Shop there. Share about it. Show up. Your presence matters more than you think.

✨ Create tiny third spaces – Invite a few people to a regular game night, start a rotating potluck, host a book exchange in your driveway, or leave a “take one, leave one” book bin in your front yard. These don’t need to be big. They just need to feel welcoming.

✨ Be intentional – Connection doesn’t happen by accident anymore. Be the one who reaches out. Be the one who shows up early. Be the one who remembers a name or checks in when someone’s been quiet. Third spaces are built with consistency and care.

At Umbrella Social, this is the heart of our mission. To be a third space. A soft landing. A cozy corner of the world where stories are shared, creativity flows, and connection happens—gently, naturally, and with intention.

We believe that by rebuilding these spaces, we’re also rebuilding something much deeper: the way we show up for one another. The way we remember what it means to belong.

So if you're looking for your place—your people—know that you're always welcome under the umbrella. ☂️💛