In 1989, American sociologist Ray Oldenburg introduced the concept of a third place - a place that was neither home nor work, but somewhere in between. This third place was a location where people could go and unwind, find solace, and let the stresses of life fade away.
And from my perspective, we need these third place locations more than ever right now. We need these islands of sanity, referencing the work of Margaret Wheatley. We need places to catch our breathe, to rediscover our center, and to remember what is important and meaningful in our lives. We also need places to remember what is important and meaningful in the lives of those we love, and in the lives of those with whom we get to work with on a daily basis.
As for me, I have numerous third places in my life. First, I always enjoy going to The Serving Cafe in my hometown of West Branch. It is a welcoming place with great, home-cooked food. I especially love having breakfast there with friends and family.
Next, a favorite third place of mine are the many perennial flower beds around out home. Whether I am on my hands and knees weeding, or just enjoying the endless flowers from March straight through to November, I find it a place that feeds my soul and restores my faith in the world. Being in the natural world is always good for my spirits. Other places like this are found walking along the water at Lake McBride near Solon, summer vacation time in Door County, or just about any good bookstore. All of them fill up my life with joy, perspective, and solace.
Along with physical locations, I also have third place people who can see me, be present to me, and hear me when I am struggling, grieving, or processing the challenges in my life. These people, whom I affectionally call my “Kitchen Table Cabinet,” provide safe space for healing, insights, and perspective. They are people who meet my challenges with grace, offer support when asked, and celebrate my progress when I struggle to see the bigger journey. They are there for me, encourage me to keep moving forward.
In world where it appears the values of compassion, dignity, and respect, the very foundation of our humanity, are not being role modeled by many people, my third place locations and people remind me that all is not lost or hopeless. For when I am with these people, and when I am in these spaces, I meet individuals who are embracing these values and recognizing the importance of these values. While I may not be able to change the whole world, I surely can be a role model in my local community, and within my local third places. For I believe that when this happens, when we choose to think global and focus local, we are indeed changing the world one relationship and one moment at a time.
This week, I encourage you to find your third place and your third place people. And then, be a third place person for all whom cross your path. When we choose offer solace and support, comfort and grace, in this way, we are truly changing our life and the lives all we meet along life’s amazing journey.
© Geery Howe 2026
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