How to Find a Third Place When You Work From Home 

I recently wrote about the concept of a “third place,” which is a space that helps you transition from work to home. But what happens when you work from home? Sometimes, it isn’t feasible to leave your house, travel to a third place, and then come back home. So unlike traditional office workers who have clear physical separation from work, home-based professionals must create this separation mentally and physically within their living space.

The Challenge of Working from Home

The primary challenge of working from home is the tendency for work to infiltrate every corner of your life. Without the physical commute and change of environment, distinguishing between “work time” and “personal time” can be difficult. This is where the concept of a third place steps in, offering a necessary refuge and mental break from your work environment.

Creating a Third Place at Home

Establishing a third place within your home is crucial for delineating the boundaries between work and personal life, especially when both occur in the same space. This dedicated area or time serves as a refuge from the demands of work, allowing for rejuvenation and personal fulfillment.

Here are five strategies to create an effective third place in your home environment.

1. Dedicate a Non-Work Zone

Establish a specific area in your home that is strictly for non-work activities. This space should be a sanctuary where work-related thoughts and activities are consciously excluded. Whether it’s a comfortable reading nook, a meditation corner, or a hobby room, this space should invite relaxation and personal fulfillment.

2. Transform Everyday Spaces

For those with limited space, it’s crucial to get creative. Dual-purpose areas can transition from their daily use to a third place with ease. For example, a dining room table can transform into a crafting area or a space for puzzles and games in the evening, signaling a shift away from work and daily routines. And don’t forget the power of fresh air; try heading out for a walk or a run right in your neighborhood.

3. Engage in Distinct Activities

The activities you choose for your third place should be markedly different from your work tasks. This distinction helps in mentally transitioning from a work mode to a personal or leisure mode. For instance, if your work is heavily computer-based, consider engaging in physical or outdoor activities to clearly differentiate your third place experience.

4. Use Sensory Cues

Incorporating specific sensory cues can enhance the transition to your third place. Scents like candles or essential oils, specific playlists, or distinct lighting can signal to your brain that it’s time to shift from work to personal time.

5. Temporal Third Place

When physical space is scarce, consider a temporal third place. This concept involves dedicating certain times of the day exclusively for activities unrelated to work, thereby creating a mental separation. For example, setting aside an hour after dinner for reading, yoga, or another relaxing activity can serve as your third place.

The Benefits of a Third Place at Home

Creating a third place at home can have significant positive effects on both your personal and professional life when you work from home. It acts as a necessary escape from the daily grind of remote work, providing numerous benefits:

• Improved Work-Life Balance: Establishing a third place at home helps delineate clear boundaries between work hours and personal time, preventing work from overtaking every aspect of life and enhancing overall life satisfaction.

• Nurtured Hobbies and Skills: A third place can be an ideal setting for pursuing hobbies and developing new skills that are not related to work, leading to personal fulfillment and a sense of achievement outside of professional accomplishments.

• Renewed Focus and Productivity: Regular breaks in a designated third place can prevent burnout and lead to improved concentration and efficiency when returning to work tasks. This mental separation can rejuvenate your focus and productivity.

• Enhanced Physical Health: If your third place involves physical activity, like gardening, yoga, or exercise, it can contribute to better physical health, reducing the sedentary lifestyle often associated with working from home.

• Expanded Social Networks: Creating a third place that allows for in-person or online socializing can broaden your social network and reduce feelings of isolation, which is especially important in remote work settings where opportunities for face-to-face interactions are limited.

Incorporating a third place into your home environment not only enriches your personal life, but also enhances your professional productivity and satisfaction, demonstrating the multifaceted value of this concept in the work-from-home era. By carving out a space or time that is distinctly separate from work, you create a sanctuary that supports your overall well-being and enhances your quality of life.