Creating Your Third Space: Why We Need Places Beyond Work & Home.

Between work, home and the endless pull of responsibilities, where do you go to reset?

In today’s world, we move between productivity and personal life so quickly that there’s often no space left to pause and reconnect. We wake up, dive into work, squeeze in social plans or errands and then retreat home to recharge — only to repeat it all the next day. But something essential is missing: a place that exists just for us. A space where we can breathe, move and be without expectation.

That’s why we need third spaces.

What is a Third Space?

Sociologists define a third space as a place that exists outside of work and home… a sanctuary for social connection, relaxation and self-expression. It could be a favourite café, a yoga studio, a library, or an outdoor spot where you feel at ease. It’s somewhere that allows you to step away from the pressures of daily life and return to yourself.

The Story BEHIND my third space.

In 2022, after years of feeling trapped by lockdowns and the weight of a global pandemic, I needed a change. I didn’t have a grand plan — just a deep urge to move. So, I packed a single suitcase, stored the rest of my life in Manchester’s Big Yellow Storage and booked a one-way ticket to Milan. I had five days in a hotel and no real idea of what came next.

That impulsive decision led to six weeks of solo travel through Italy, a whirlwind of new experiences and a growing resistance to staying in the UK for long. As September rolled around, I knew I wanted to keep chasing summer and Los Angeles had always been on my bucket list. So, without overthinking it, I booked a flight and a one-month stay in a co-living home for digital nomads. The plan was simple: spend a month in LA, then head back to Italy to figure out my next steps.

Except, as with most things in life, the plan didn’t go as expected.

LA, Loneliness & Finding Pilates

Landing in LA was exhilarating but also overwhelming. The first few days were lonely and if I’m honest, a little terrifying. I nearly talked myself out of the trip altogether at border control when the officer’s questions made me realise just how unprepared I was. But by the second week, things started to shift. I made a few friends (people who are still incredibly important to me today) and the digital nomad house share began proving its worth.

One of my new housemates invited me to a Pilates class. I’d never done "the one on machines" before, but I had nothing to lose by giving it a go. One introductory session and a first-time grip socks purchase later, I was hooked.

I wasn’t particularly good at it, but I enjoyed it — and that was rare when it came to me and workouts.

A New Routine, A New Perspective

What followed was an extended stay in LA (I never did take that flight back to Italy) and a completely different way of living. UK pub culture was replaced with Pilates sessions between co-working and beach days. My social life no longer revolved around alcohol; instead, it was built around movement, wellness, and connection.

When I eventually returned to the UK, I wanted to bring that lifestyle with me. Before I even signed a lease on a flat in Manchester, I found a Pilates studio. It quickly became my anchor. I’d come back alcohol-free, unsure of how to navigate weekends without the usual cycle of nights out and Pilates filled that space effortlessly. Any fears I had about making new friends disappeared — nearly everyone I became close to in Manchester, I met through the studio. It wasn’t just where I moved my body; it became the foundation of my new life.

It’s also where I later completed my teacher training and taught my first-ever classes.

Why Sojourn Exists

When I moved back to Broughton Astley — a village I grew up in — about a year ago, there was one thing missing: a Pilates studio and everything that came with it. The third space I had built my life around no longer existed for me and I felt the loss deeply.

That’s why Sojourn was born. Because sometimes, you don’t just need a workout — you need a place to reset, reconnect and belong.