~Third Place Series~
PART II
This is a small reflection on the idea of the third place.
Between home and daily routines, there is a third space we often seek without realizing it.
A simple place where we can pause for a moment—without demands, without roles—and slowly return to ourselves.
Here, “third place” refers more specifically to a phenomenon we’ve been seeing lately: the rapid growth of coffee shops everywhere.
~~
The Psychology of Comfort: Why Do Coffee Shops Feel So “Calming”?
Try to imagine this: you’re standing in front of a coffee shop door, and as you open it, the rich aroma of coffee immediately fills your senses—almost as if inviting you to step further inside.
A few minutes later, it feels as if your blood pressure drops.
Your breathing becomes slower, more controlled.
Your thoughts begin to settle.
Nothing has actually changed.
You’re still carrying the same problems.
But somehow…
The atmosphere makes everything feel different.
Comfort Is Not a Coincidence
The sense of comfort we feel in a coffee shop isn’t random or accidental.
It happens because our mind quietly observes and processes the environment around us.
From lighting, aroma, sound, spatial design, to the presence of other people—
all of these elements send a subtle signal to the brain:
“This is safe.”
Warm Lighting Softens the Mind
If you pay attention, coffee shops rarely use harsh, bright lighting.
Instead, the lights tend to be warm, soft, and slightly yellow.
It’s as if they send a message to your mind:
This is not a place where you need to stay alert.
Not a place that demands high performance.
Not an exam room.
Not an office.
This is a space where you can slowly lower your guard.
The Comfort of Sound
It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?
Coffee shops are not truly quiet.
There’s always:
The sound of the coffee machine
Faint conversations
The clink of glasses
Footsteps coming and going
And yet… these sounds don’t disturb us.
They actually make the space feel more comfortable.
This phenomenon is known as ambient noise or light white noise.
These sounds are not loud enough to distract,
but present enough to make the space feel alive—
so we don’t feel alone.
It’s as if our mind feels accompanied, without needing to engage.
The Emotional Anchor of Coffee Aroma
The smell of coffee is unique.
Even before we take a sip, the aroma alone creates a certain feeling.
Scent has a direct connection to memory and emotion.
That’s why a simple smell can instantly bring us back to a past moment—
making us feel familiar without knowing exactly why.
In coffee shops, the aroma acts like an anchor,
keeping us grounded in the present moment.
Alone, But Not Lonely
This might be the most important part.
We can sit alone without feeling strange—
unlike in other places where being alone might be labeled as “lonely.”
Here, it feels completely normal.
When we look around, we see people working alone,
reading books, or simply staring at their screens.
And it makes us think:
“Oh… I’m not alone in this solitude.”
Many people call this shared solitude.
A Space Without Expectations
At home, there are responsibilities.
At work, there are demands.
But here, you can leave all of that behind—
even if just for a moment.
You can simply sit.
Be quiet.
Exist.
And no one will question it.
And somehow… that feels relieving.
So, Why Do Coffee Shops Feel So Calming?
Because they touch multiple layers of our being:
Physical (sound, lighting, aroma)
Mental (a sense of safety, absence of pressure)
Emotional (not feeling alone, yet still having space)
All of these meet at one point:
a kind of comfort that doesn’t feel forced.
Closing
Maybe all this time, we thought we go there to work, hang out, or just drink coffee.
But…
If we’re being honest,
we go there to feel a little safer—
and a little better.
Life doesn’t suddenly change.
But it gives us a small space to pause,
to breathe,
to rest—
and to rethink our next step.
~~