"Social media has radically changed the way we do things. It’s changed how we date, build careers, entertain ourselves, learn new things, and maintain relationships. As a digital native, I resisted this change, desperately wishing to return to the “good old days”—you know, when every aspect of life wasn’t influenced by our phones. This resistance came from focusing on its negative impacts like the loneliness epidemic and universal phone addiction. But after taking a step back and looking at all this change from a different perspective, I realized that social media has a lot of incredible benefits—one being its ability to connect us.
Since the inception of Facebook, we’ve created online personas, curated our likes and dislikes, and built connections with like-minded users. Social media platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have satisfied our innate need for connection for over a decade. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we’re craving something more. We want to connect with people beyond our screens. Thankfully, there is now a simple answer: Fourth spaces.
Coined by Eventbrite, “fourth spaces” are intentionally designed for individuals to gather IRL based on the interests and passions they share online. Basically, they are bridging the gap between our two worlds—so it’s no surprise they are rising in popularity and changing how we make true friends. Ahead, we’re sharing everything you need to know about fourth spaces, from how they are changing the way we form relationships to how to find or create one and more.
What are fourth spaces?
According to Eventbrite, fourth spaces are “gathering places that transcend physical location,” with the main purpose of bringing people together through shared passions and bridging online communities with real-world connections. Unlike “third places,” which are characterized by a public location you visit regularly that isn’t your home, work, or school (think: your favorite coffee shop), fourth places prioritize why you’re gathering rather than where.
Fourth spaces happen in the form of events or meetups, like an in-person workout event for an online fitness community or a watch party for a shared fandom. Instead of just interacting in comment sections online, you take your interests beyond the screen and meet like-minded people IRL. Because of this, Eventbrite says that fourth spaces are helping Gen-Zers and Millennials find belonging and “bring their whole selves into the physical world.”
Why we need fourth spaces
In a world where we can scroll and connect with others through mutual accounts or swipe right and find our next situationship, we’ve grown accustomed to finding and creating relationships right at our fingertips. According to Eventbrite, this way of doing things isn’t hitting like it used to. In a recent study, they found that 95 percent of 18- to 35-year-olds are interested in exploring their online interests and communities through in-person events. The motivation for this interest? To make new friends.
It’s no surprise that a high percentage of individuals want this. Given our ongoing loneliness crisis, we are living in a time where socialization (and real connection) is at an all-time low. We have been feeling the negative effects of isolation for some time now, and it’s safe to say that we all want a change.
“Fourth spaces are changing how we connect, explore our interests and identities, and build community.”
Instead of online connections starting and staying online, fourth spaces are acting as the next step in relationships. Whether it be in the form of a bi-weekly club meet-up to geek out over the latest book release or gather at a local park once a month to create art, fourth spaces are changing how we connect, explore our interests and identities, and build community.
How to add a fourth space to your life
You have lots to gain from prioritizing fourth spaces in your life—like an adult field trip, a fourth space is basically the adult version of an extracurricular activity. Here are some tips on how to find a fourth space and utilize it for connection.
Take notes on your existing interests
A key aspect of a fourth space is the passions and interests that it is centered around. Is it to get healthier? Is it to learn a new skill? Create art? Binge-watch and critique your favorite Reality TV show? An easy and quick way to identify your interests is to take a look at the topics you tend to gravitate toward on social media. What constantly pops up on your FYP? What do the accounts you follow have in common? Take stock of where you interact online the most and think about which communities you’d like to explore deeper.
Research to find existing fourth spaces
Once you’ve identified your interests and passions, use it as data to look for a fourth space. Search on social media, Google, and online platforms like Eventbrite or Geneva for meetups and clubs in your area. Or, visit local shops in your community to see what types of events they host. For example, your nearest bookstore might have a book club, and your craft store might have themed craft nights.
If your interests are more niche, like a die-hard fandom, search for watch parties or gaming nights. Or if you are part of an at-home fitness community, check their socials for information on upcoming in-person meetups. These events might not be as regular, but you’ll be able to meet people, exchange numbers, and hang out outside of these events, too.
OR create a fourth space that aligns with your interests
If there aren’t many local fourth spaces that you can explore, put on your hosting hat and create one. Get crafty with Canva and create a digital poster advertising an event hosted by you. This can be as simple as hosting a meet-up for trivia night at a local venue, inviting others interested in spending the afternoon doing yoga in a park, or hosting a listening party for other fans of your favorite artist right in your living room. The goal is to find or create a space where you can be yourself, unwind, and indulge in your favorite hobby while naturally building connections. Here are some popular fourth spaces to inspire you.
- Culinary circles: Explore food and drink interests through cooking classes, themed dinner events, or supper clubs.
- Live social clubs: Connect with those who love live entertainment such as concerts, comedy shows, and plays or musicals.
- Game-based gatherings: Get game enthusiasts together to connect over board games, trivia, or sports experiences.
- Creative classes: Center on creativity in the form of drawing or painting classes, photography or videography classes, and pottery-making classes.
- Fandom festivities: From movie watch parties to Reality TV series gatherings to Cosplay events, connect over a favorite fandom.
- Healthy hangouts: For those with a passion for fitness, connect on hiking or walking groups, run clubs, and yoga and mindfulness groups.
Be patient with the process
Making connections and building a community takes time. To be exact, it takes about 112 hours to upgrade a stranger to a friend. Remember this as you start dipping your toe into fourth spaces. Connection might not happen right away, but keep attending events, meetups, and classes.
I’ve found some of my best friends while attending weekly adult swim classes. We obviously didn’t become best friends after the first class—or even the second and third. But eventually, we reached a point where we started spending time together outside of class, and it resulted in bonds I still have today. Trust me, it is worth the lasting relationships that can be formed!
Schedule time into your calendar
Our busy schedules aren’t going to magically grant us time for fourth spaces. We have to be intentional with making time to nurture our interests and connect with people IRL. You don’t have to commit to a fourth space every week, but try to establish some level of consistency. Find what works with your schedule and make it one of your goals to engage with your fourth space as often as you can. This way, you are consistently bridging the gap between your online and real-world life, and you’re creating more opportunities for connection.
Aaliyah Alexander, Contributing Writer
Aaliyah is a writer, content creator, and blogger based in Brandon, Mississippi. She attended San Diego State University where she received a degree in journalism and worked as an editor for the award-winning student newspaper, The Daily Aztec. Aaliyah covers a range of topics including slow living, her favorite vegan food spots, minimalism, self-growth, and entertainment.
Feature graphic images credited to: Jayden Anderson | Dupe, Thongden_Studio, Adobe Stock, Kubra Arslaner | Unsplash