COMMENTS

21 responses to “Open Thread Update: What’s Your Third Place?”

1. My accountability group. It’s lead by a professional organizer. It’s a time set aside to work on individual projects. They are a very supportive group of women.

   Reply to Beth A Austin

2. Anna reminds me of myself on ‘one of those days’ it’s not a good feeling. I push myself most of the time to get out around people -like Deborah my synagogue is where I socialize,worship, volunteer & join study groups. quit drinking a few years ago but I used to enjoy that too. . I do spend some days alone & give in to that lonely feeling but at the same time I kind of like being alone sometimes. Anna if you have your health I would recommend volunteer work.

   Reply to Elly

3. My third place is my weekly singing group, which meets every Friday. I’ve been a member for eight years. I love singing, and I’ve made new friends.
   When we met on Valentine’s Day, we sang love songs from The Beatles to Bacharach and then after the workshop ended, we had cake and wine.

   Reply to Kate Walter

4. Third places are so important. I have several in my city.
   A hospital cafeteria, newly decorated and open to the public until 6p. A private library in the financial district, open six days a week. A Yemeni cafe near the mosque; thoughtful bilingual staff. A 10 minute walk in either direction takes me to a park. A U-U Church community area, after Sunday services. And a French patisserie, where I’m greeted by name, and they’re always glad I came! So much in gratitude.

   Reply to dr jeanne powell

5. My third place is hiking in the woods with fellow dog lovers where we also meet other nature and or dog lovers and share smiles, a mention of owls spotted, and wish each other good walks. Nan

   Reply to Nan

6. in San Antonio Texas we have many Great beautiful Senior centers with many different activities especially for seniors, for example Walker Ranch especially created for seniors.

   Reply to Jane De Leon

7. Sooo important for a third place to meet others for coffee!! Keep the connection!!

   Reply to Anne Marie Cicciu

8. I like the library! Sometimes they have a book club or other social event or I can just sit and look through the collection.

   Reply to Susan Red

   1. I’m a retired library asst. it was a great job now ł

      Reply to Elly

9. My second place, since I don’t work anymore, is the gym. Physical and social all in one place. Still looking for my new third place.

   Reply to Evi swager

10. My house of worship is my third place. It’s not just a spiritual base, there’s a huge variety of educational, volunteering, and community-building events where you can meet others with similar values and interests. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Initiative to expand the palette is encouraged and supported.

    Reply to WENDL in Manhattan

11. I found a great cafe that is my third place. The regulars (the non Saturday/Sunday brunch crowd) feel at home because of the friendly staff and good food. A great place to catch a game, read the paper or visit.

    Reply to Linda

12. My third place is my synagogue, where, like “Cheers”, everyone, or nearly everyone, knows my name. I feel seen and heard there, and often meet new people while mingling with old friends, as we share cultural, culinary, intellectual, and religious activities.

    Reply to Deborah

13. Being with my friends at the Historic Empire Ranch where I volunteer. During our workdays, our events, and wherever we gather it’s fun to spend time with a whole different set of people from my home and work.

    Reply to Marti Conroy

14. I have two “3rd places”—one face-to-face and the other virtual. The former is a line dance class that meets twice a week in a fitness center [and the class is taught by none other than Senior Planet’s, Joan Price!]. The virtual place is a high intellectual level book club that meets on Zoom three or four times per month to discuss prize-winning novels and outstanding short stories. Both of these help avoid loneliness for this 81 year old widower.

    Reply to Mac Marshall

15. Walking the neighborhood with our dog is our Third Place. Everyone here walks! We celebrated with a November potluck desserts and cocoa on the driveway affair. Add to that our church (where coffeehour is our fellowship) as well as our local, neighborhood library which is within dog-walking distance and territory, and we have a tight and caring community.

    Reply to Bev Oliver

16. I frequent a local diner that my friend bartends at (this particular diner has a nice cocktail program). I sit at the bar, enjoy a nice meal, converse with her and other patrons. I also enjoy monthly in-person meetings with my 3 book clubs-one meets at Panera, one at a neighborhood coffee cafe, and another at a yoga studio.

    Reply to Linda Slattery

17. Karaoke spots are my go to third place to meetup and mingle. There are different venues that host karaoke nights in my area like Marty’s , Dad’s and Steeley Nevada, and even Taco Cabana.

    Reply to Tiff S.

    1. I have no third place, I have no second place; I am totally isolated were it no for my computer. I am tired of everything. Lost all of my interests. I am boring and everyone around me is a bore.

       Reply to Anna

       1. Try calling our hotline at 888-713-3495 and ask how to join one of our online activities like Senior Planet Community. You might also consider discussing your feelings with a medical professional. Good luck!

       2. Hi Anna, if you have a computer you have the world at your fingertips. I have learned to make jewelry by watching YouTube. I make small quilts by seeing examples online, I play solitaire or play mental games on my computer. You can order beads, fabric, and jigsaw puzzles. You can learn to draw and paint with simple and inexpensive materials.
          Being unable to experience pleasure is a sign of major depression. You can even find help for depression online.
          I know because I have been there.