What Is a Third Space?

Why Third Spaces Matter More Than Ever

In a world where productivity reigns supreme and every moment seems monetized, third spaces are more vital than ever. These are the sacred in-between places—not home, not work—where we can exhale, explore, and reconnect with who we truly are.

What Is a Third Space?

Coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, a third space refers to environments outside the home (first space) and workplace (second space) where people gather, engage, and simply exist without expectations. Think coffee shops, bookstores, libraries, community centers—places where connection and curiosity thrive. These spaces foster belonging, creativity, and meaningful conversation. They’re where ideas are born, friendships blossom, and identities are explored.

Why Third Spaces Are Disappearing

The commercialization of community has led to a steady decline in third spaces. Rising rents, urban development, and the pressure for every experience to generate profit have made it harder for these places to survive. With more people working remotely or experiencing burnout, we’ve become increasingly isolated. The third space is now more than a luxury—it’s a necessity.

My Little Magic Shop as a Third Space

When I created My Little Magic Shop, I wanted to offer more than crystals and candles—I wanted to create a safe, sacred space where people could reconnect with themselves. A place filled with love, where transformation is welcome, and curiosity is celebrated. I see people come in with questions, wounds, dreams—and leave lighter, inspired, or simply more grounded. That’s the magic of a third space.

Growing up, bookstores and libraries were my sanctuaries. I’d get lost in worlds and ideas, feeling safe and seen. Volunteering at a library in high school gave me quiet joy when I was too shy to speak up elsewhere. That love for sacred, quiet, and nourishing spaces lives on through the shop today.

The Spiritual Importance of Third Spaces

Energetically, third spaces are portals of presence. They’re where we integrate. After the hustle of work and responsibilities at home, we need a neutral ground to hear ourselves again. To process. To wonder. To rest. They’re like a soul’s reset button.

Third spaces encourage reflection, intuition, and healing. They create community without pressure, reminding us that we belong—not because of what we do, but because of who we are.

Why We Need to Protect Them

Third spaces are increasingly endangered by rising costs and shifting cultural priorities. In a society obsessed with monetization, the value of simply “being” is under threat. But we must fight to keep them alive. These spaces are where art, activism, innovation, and healing happen. They’re where people find each other—and themselves.

Whether it’s a local crystal shop, an indie bookstore, or a quiet corner of your favorite coffee shop, your third space matters.

How to Find (or Build) Your Own Third Space

• Follow your curiosity. Seek out spaces that invite reflection, exploration, and calm.

• Support small, community-centered businesses. They’re often your neighborhood’s hidden third spaces.

• Create your own. Set up a cozy ritual space in your home, host community circles, or start a book club.

• Honor it. Treat your third space like sacred ground. Be present, be kind, be open.

Want to explore a third space for your spiritual journey? Come visit us at My Little Magic Shop or join one of our in-store workshops. Or simply take five minutes today to sit, breathe, and check in with yourself. Your soul will thank you.