Creating a Third Place: Escaping the Work-School Grind for a Moment

 When you work full-time, go to school full-time, and manage a part-time internship—plus try to maintain a social life—it can feel like you're always rushing from one obligation to the next. For a while, I didn’t even realize I was missing something essential: space for myself. Not another to-do list or assignment, but a place where I could just do whatever. 

One day while scrolling through TikTok, I came across a video of a girl talking about something she called a “third space.” She described it as a place separate from work, home, or school—a spot that exists outside the usual responsibilities and pressure. It’s not about being productive or checking something off a list; it’s just a space where you can simply be without adding more to your plate.

Since then, I’ve started carving out these little third spaces in my routine. For me, it’s a local coffee shop like Zion or CXT, where I can sit with a latte and a sweet treat, maybe read or get some light work done, without the pressure I feel at home or school. Sometimes it's stepping into the calm of the yoga studio, 5 minutes away from my house, where the focus is inward, not on deadlines or checklists.

Incorporating this kind of space into my mornings, even just once or twice a week, allows me to slow down and find a moment of stillness before the day’s demands take over. It’s a simple way to reset and make the day feel more manageable. I highly recommend finding a third space of your own, where you can take a break from the noise and focus on yourself. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 8: Travel

Traveling has always been something I’ve found to be incredibly refreshing, both for my mind and my spirit. Whether it’s a quick getaway to a nearby spot or an international adventure, exploring new places has a way of helping me reset and recharge. The simple act of changing my surroundings offers me a break from daily life and allows me to experience things that boost my mood and mental well-being. One of the most impactful ways travel has benefited my mental health is by giving me a fresh perspective. Stepping outside of my usual environment forces me to look at things from a new angle. It’s like a mental reset button, helping me break away from routine stress and see life in a different light. The change of pace allows me to focus on the present moment, which has helped me reduce anxiety and clear my mind. Last summer, I had the chance to study abroad in Thailand and Singapore. It was my first time traveling out of the country, and when I signed up, I didn’t know anyone else who wa...
Read more

Week 6: Productivity & Motivation

This year, I have really wanted to focus on shifting my mindset and how I can improve my productivity. I have found that with being a college student (especially a senior) that keeping motivation and continuing to be productive everyday is not an easy task. It's definitely challenging to stay motivated as a senior in college, especially with the growing demands of coursework, future planning, and sometimes feeling a sense of burnout as the end of your academic journey approaches. It's easy to fall into a cycle of procrastination, especially when there's the temptation to take a break or focus on more immediate rewards, like social activities or downtime. I personally like to "doom scroll" on Tik Tok or other social media platforms that seem to drain my energy and waste my time. Which, I am sure we all can relate to in some aspect.  Between coursework, preparing for life after graduation, and trying to balance my other responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelme...
Read more

Week 5: Prioritizing my wellness through yoga 🧘🏼

At the start of 2025, I made a commitment to prioritize both my mental and physical health as part of my New Year's resolution. Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared different aspects of this experience—my morning routine, hiking adventures, music preferences, concert experiences, and, most recently, my love for yoga. Attending yoga classes has quickly become one of my favorite ways to stay active and grounded. I typically go 3-4 times a week, and with a variety of classes available—Barre, power yoga, vinyasa, and even chair yoga—there’s always something new to challenge my body and mind. Making yoga a regular part of my routine has helped me start my mornings on the right foot—both physically and mentally. As someone who has always hated early mornings, I never thought I’d willingly roll out of bed for a workout. But surprisingly, yoga has made the transition a little easier. What makes this experience even more exciting is that I'm supporting a brand-new local studio that has ...
Read more