The importance of the ‘Third Space’

>>There is an argument that remote working encourages people to close themselves out from the world around them. Remote workers are faced with a dystopian future, living outside of their community, physically distant but digitally connected. This is where ‘third spaces’ come in, that place where community and in-person connection helps remote workers thrive.<<

There is an argument that remote working encourages people to close themselves out from the world around them. It’s almost accuses some of being antisocial, living in a potentially dystopian remote world. Why leave the comfort of home with your widescreen monitor, fully stocked fridge, and the comfort of your athleisure wear to interact with the outside world? For me, third spaces are absolutely critical to remote workers, particularly those that work from home (WFH).

Third spaces are not a new concept. Living in London, the local pub was that third space for hundreds of years, the place between work and home, between different aspects of your everyday llfe. Central Perk in the American TV show Friends is a third space, The Rovers Return in Coronation Street is the English version.

Third spaces are critical to community building, and give people a sense of community outside their families and work colleagues. The term was originally coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the 1980s, and for me, the world of remote working will be a rejuvinating force on third spaces. Pubs in England have struggled over many years, but some are now ‘renting’ out empty tables during quieter times to local remote workers. A cosy place, with a good wifi connection, with access to food and drink. A great way for businesses to use their space during the quieter times, and in some ways provides a community building opportunity for the potential loneliness of working from home.

My third place is my local coffee shop. I live equidistant between two locations of the same UK chain (Caffè Nero), and although I rarely bring my laptop to work there. I buy my cafe latte and sit on my mobile phone; reading email responding to Slacks, checking in with my network on LinkedIn, and doing the daily Wordle. I see familiar faces, have a quick chat, hear stories about what is going on in the neighbourhood, and generally get connected to my community.

There is a lot written about ‘third spaces’ particularly due to their importance for remote workers, and the work from anywhere tribes. One of the best summaries I have read is The Good Trade article ‘What is a Third Space?’ by Emily Torres. But a Google search will also throw up opinion pieces from esteemed publications like the New York Times, to the local blogger/influencer.

Time in third spaces are an integral part of my day from both a productivity and wellbeing perspective. If you haven’t found yours, then take a walk in your local community as they are hiding in plain sight; coffee shops, libraries, even the local park under a tree if the 5G signal is strong enough. Happy hunting!