Third spaces are crucial to our social well-being, but they have become increasingly difficult to find. What are third places you may ask? Third places are locations that facilitate social interaction and productivity-free conversation outside of the office and home. A place where public relaxation is encouraged and you encounter “regulars” and the potential for new connections. It’s where you can hang out and just be, where nothing is expected of you and you can just relax.
Third places are vital to our well-being, but so few of us have them. A place to escape the mundanity of the 9 to 5 slog of commuting, working, comuting – rinse and repeat. When was the last time you spent an afternoon at the local library or at the neighbourhood bowling alley? These third spaces, places for connection, relaxation and rejuvenation, are integral to our well-being and the fabric of our communities.
Fostering Social Connections and Community
One of the most powerful roles of third spaces is their ability to foster social connections. It’s places where people from varying backgrounds can meet, converse and build relations. Third spaces provide opportunities for people to interact with others beyond their immediate social circles. Whether it’s meeting a stranger at a coffee shop or chatting with someone at a local park, these interactions can help bridge social divides, making them vital to fostering community cohesion. In our day-to-day busy lives, it can be difficult to find time or space for meaningful interactions. Third spaces offer a relaxed environment for conversation that might not happen in structured settings like work or at home.
Have you had your fair share of sleepless nights? You toss and turn, you count the imaginary sheep and you still can’t fall asleep. It’s frustrating and sometimes it can feel like a never-ending zero-win battle with yourself. Whether these nights are rare or a habitual occurrence for you, I’ve gathered some great tips and tricks to help you get some shut eye when you need it the most.
1. Create a Relaxing Environment
Start by dimming your lights. Bright lights can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle, so try lowering the lights or use a dim lamp. Aim for a cool temperature, a cooler temperature around 15–20°C is optimal for sleeping. If you’re feeling a little warm, try using a fan or cracking open the window. Do your best to eliminate noise. If there’s lots of noise, try earplugs or playing calm sounds like white noise or nature sounds to help you relax.
2. Limit Screen Time Before Bed
I know this one’s difficult. It’s definitely difficult for me. But, do your best to turn off your electronics. The blue light emitted by phones, tablets and computers interferes with your body’s production of melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate your sleep. Best practice is to avoid screens at least 30 to 60 minute before bed. In the evenings, if you must use your phone or computer, consider using night mode to reduce blue light exposure.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas… well maybe not outside. But the holiday season is just around the corner and there’s lots of festive events happening around the Lower Mainland to get you in the holiday spirit.
VanDusen Festival of Lights (November 29 to January 5)
The VanDusen Festival of Lights is a popular annual holiday event held at the VanDusen Botanical Garden. It transforms the beautiful garden into a dazzling winter wonderland with over a million lights illuminating the pathways, trees and landscapes. The garden is transformed with intricate light displays, including twinkling trees and colourful pathways. There are also unique themed installations like a sparking tunnel of lights and a maze of LED-lit plants. Visitors can enjoy a warm and festive atmosphere complete with holiday music, hot chocolate and other festive treats. This year’s new feature includes a display themed like the Great Bear Rainforest complete with an interactive attraction exploring the fascinating fungal world of mycelium. The entire garden is decked out in Christmas cheer, there’ll be holiday photo opportunities waiting for you around every corner.
Tickets for Festival of Lights 2024 are on sale NOW! Join us as we celebrate the 40th year with new interactive displays, the Dancing Lights, delicious food vendors and more!
I have a back and forth relationship with thrifting. Throughout some periods of my life, I would frequent thrift shops pretty regularly. And other periods of my life, I would rarely go to the thrift shop. When I’m in the mood for the hunt and excited to look through racks and racks of items, thrifting can be so exciting and enjoyable. But when you exit the store empty handed, it can feel like wasted time. Nonetheless, recently thrifting has transitioned from being a niche hobby to a mainstream cultural phenomenon.
What perhaps was once seen as a means of shopping in a less expensive manner has evolved into a full, multifaceted shopping experience that draws people of all ages. Whether you’re on the hunt for vintage furniture, unique fashion pieces or simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt, thrifting provides a compelling mix of excitement, sustainability and personal expression.
Here’s one of my favourite playlists to listen to while thrifting, play it to get into a thrifting mood while reading the rest of the article.
One of the main reasons shoppers find thrifting so exciting is the thrill of the hunt. Unlike retail shopping, where you often enter a store knowing exactly what you’re looking for, thrifting adds a sense of discovery. You never quite know what you’ll be able to find and that uncertainty can be part of the fun. The motions of sifting through racks of clothing, scouring shelves for unique homeware or digging through boxes of vintage jewelry taps into our natural curiosity and allure for surprises.
Entering a thrift store is like entering a treasure trove of hidden gems and for many the process of searching for the items is as enjoyable as finding them. This sense of unpredictability makes each trip to the thrift store feel like an adventure. Maybe you’re on the lookout for a rare designer piece, the perfect denim jacket or simply something that speaks to your personal style. Thrifting offers a sense of excitement that you rarely get from traditional retail shopping.
Sustainability & Conscious Consumerism
In a world increasingly concerned with environmental issues, thrifting has become a popular alternative to mass production and fast fashion. Thrift stores allow customers to buy items that already exist, which in turn, helps reduce waste and lowers the demand for new products. When you purchase second hand items, you’re participating in a circular economy that encourages the reuse of materials rather than the extraction of new resources.
Fast fashion has long been criticized for its environmental impact and exploitation of cheap labour. This has led many consumers to consider their shopping habits. Instead of contributing to the production of new items, thrift shoppers are extending the life cycle of items that already exist, reducing both the waste and the environmental footprint of consumerism. Buying secondhand goods often results in lower carbon emissions compared to purchasing new items. The efforts of transportation, manufacturing and packaging associated with new items all contribute to pollution and energy consumption. When purchasing secondhand, you are effectively reducing the demand for these energy-intensive processes.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, most commonly during the fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. This condition can lead to feelings of sadness, fatigue and lack of motivation affecting daily life and overall well-being. While we experience the grey and overcast days of “Raincouver”, there are effective strategies to manage and overcome the symptoms of SAD.
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder – What is SAD?
SAD is a form of depression that typically occurs in cycles, with symptoms appearing in the fall and winter and subsiding in the spring and summer. Reduced sunlight can lead to imbalances in serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation and sleep patterns.
The entertainment industry has seen a surge in the number of reboots, remakes and revivals of beloved television shows and films as of late. This increase has sparked debates among audiences and fandoms, with some embracing the nostalgia of familiar stories and characters while others criticize the lack of originality in Hollywood. We will explore the phenomenon of reboots, examine their motivations, the impact on the industry and audiences and what the future holds for this trend.
The Nostalgia Factor
One of the primary motives behind the reboot trend is nostalgia. Nostalgia acts as a powerful emotion that connects us to our past, evoking memories of childhood, family and significant moments in our lives. When we see familiar characters on screen or hear iconic theme songs, we’re transported back to the times when we first experienced those stories. This emotional pull can be a significant draw for viewers, making reboots a particularly lucrative venture for studios. Two films that were mainstays of my childhood are Freaky Friday and The Princess Diaries that both have remakes in the making. I know that watching these films will take me right back to when the originals were released.
In recent years, the phenomenon of “kidfluencing” and family vlogging has exploded on social media. Children as young as toddlers have become influential figures in the digital space. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have acted as spaces for children to amass large followings, attracting brand partnerships and sponsorships that were once reserved for adult social media influencers. However, as more and more children gain followings, it raises crucial ethical questions surrounding the welfare of these children and the potential exploitation they may face.
The Rise of Kidfluencers
Kidfluencers are children who use social media to share content like toy reviews, fashion hauls and lifestyle vlogs. Two of the most recognizable names in kidfluencing include Ryan Kaji of “Ryan’s World” who’s toy reviews have garened a multi-millionaire dollar empire and Charli D’Amelio, who started as a dance influencer and has since expanded her brand to include merchandise and partnerships. As the digital landscape evolves, the potential for substantial monetization has attracted parents looking to capitalize on their children’s talents. Although, the motivations behind kidfluencing can be complex. For some families, it’s a source of income. For others, it can be an opportunity to foster entrepreneurial skills. Yet, amidst these motivations lies a very pressing concern. The ethical implications of exposing children to the demands of influencer culture.
Ethical Concerns of Kidfluencing
The quick rise of kidfluencing has garnered a myriad of ethical concerns, particularly in regards to the commodification of childhood. The American Academy of Pediatrics warns of the potential psychological effects of social media on children, including issues related to self-esteem, body image and social pressure. Clearly, kidfluencers are not immune to these psychological challenges. The pressure to maintain a curated, inventive online persona can be overwhelming. This leads to anxiety and stress, which can be multiplied tenfold when children are thrust in the spotlight at a young age.
The distinction between content creation and commercial promotion can often be blurred. Children are not adequately informed about advertising standards, leading to situations where they promote products without understanding the implications. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has guidelines requiring influencers to disclose paid partnerships. But, enforcement can be inconsistent, particularly when it comes to child creators. This poses questions about children being protected to the fullest extent from exploitative practices and whether parents are equipped to navigate this or have their children’s best interests in mind.
We live in a golden age of television and there are so many series to choose from. But sometimes, too many choices can lead to choice paralysis. Have you ever sat down in front of the TV, started scrolling through various streaming platforms for something that peaks your interest and then the next thing you know fifteen minutes have elapsed and you still haven’t chosen anything. To help you with decision fatigue, I’m going to recommend to you a few of my favourite new shows that were released this fall.
English Teacher
My first recommendation is called “English Teacher”. In Canada, you can stream the series on Disney Plus. English Teacher is a sitcom created by Brian Jordan Alvarez, who stars as the main character Evan Marquez. The cast also includes Stephanie Koenig, Enrico Colantoni and Sean Patton. The show premiered on September 2, 2024 on FX.
You can watch the trailer here:
FX's English Teacher – OFFICIAL TRAILER | A new comedy series that stars Brian Jordan Alvarez as Evan, an Austin high school teacher striving to meet the conflicting needs of students and parents amidst ever-changing rules. Premieres 9.2 on FX. Stream on Hulu. #EnglishTeacherFXpic.twitter.com/p9nb3HYndl
— Brian Jordan Alvarez (@brianjoralvarez) August 6, 2024
Emily Henry has taken the literary world by storm. She has definitively solidified herself as a mainstay author in contemporary romance fiction. When browsing through TikTok creators most recommended lists, it’s rare to find one where her books are completely absent.
Her success stems from her unique ability to blend heartfelt emotions with lighthearted humour, creating a distinctive style that resonates with many readers. Let’s explore a few key factors that contribute to her success:
Witty Dialogue: she has a true talent and finesse for engaging, clever dialogue that adds a layer of charm to her stories. The sharp wit not only entertains the reader, but deepens the character relationships, making the narrative overall more enjoyable.
Relatable Characters: the protagonist in her novels grapple with real-life issues like career struggles and difficult family dynamics, making them relatable to a wide audience. You can often empathize with her protagonists as they exhibit real-life experiences.
Themes of Growth: Henry’s novels explore themes of self-discovery, healing and the complexities of modern relationships. A focus on personal growth in a protagonist resonates with readers that are searching for more than just a typical romance.
Emotional Depth: While her novels are meant to be lighthearted and comforting reads, they also dive into deeper emotional territory. Tackling issues like grief, family trauma and the pressure of adulthood. This balance of light and heavy themes makes her stories feel substantial and are easy to sink your teeth into.
Hopefully I have convinced you to try out an Emily Henry novel. To help you pick out your first, I’m going to rank her five most recent titles and give you my personal opinions on each. Caution: my ranking may differ from others.
1. Happy Place
I absolutely loved this novel. The characters come to life and you feel like you’re a fly on the wall
2. Book Lovers
3. Funny Story
4. People We Meet On Vacation
5. Beach Read
And the best news of all! Henry is releasing a new novel April 22, 2025. It’s called Great Big Beautiful Life and I’m so excited to read.
Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry. pic.twitter.com/rJLI3z9gec
We have been told time and time again that reading is good for you. That it’s important. That it will help your learning as a child. Thinking back on it now, many of my teacher’s paramount mission statement was to encourage us to read. I even grew up with an elementary school teacher as a mom who was also telling me at home that I should be reading. And she tried. Maybe, not well enough. But she tried to get me to read. There were many forces in my childhood life that were trying to get me to understand the love the reading. And yet, I never read. This is not even an exaggeration. I NEVER read.
In elementary school, each class would visit the library once a week. Each week we had to borrow at least three books to take home and read. And without fail, each week I would return all three books without having cracked one of them open, pick out three new ones, rinse and repeat.
I missed out on all the classic childhood/teenage series like Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games. When I was seven-years-old, my dad read the first two chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone to me and it didn’t catch my attention. My dad was pretty upset because, like the rest of the world, he loved the Harry Potter series and he just wanted his kid to love it too. But I didn’t and I never got into any of those popular series. I did kind of feel left out when everyone at school was talking about the characters and plot lines of these novels. That did kind of suck and I wondered why I didn’t enjoy reading. My friends would recommend to me their favourite novels at the moment and it never stuck with me.
I remember in Grade 5, we were assigned a novel to read. The day after everyone was sent home with a copy of the book, one student in class shared that she had stayed up until 4am to finish the entire novel. And once again, this was Grade 5 so staying up until 4am on a school night was a big deal. I couldn’t comprehend the idea of being so enthralled in a novel that you had to stay awake until 4am to finish it. She was warning us that once we started the novel that we wouldn’t be able to stop. She didn’t have to worry about me doing that.
And then we arrive at high school, the land of book reports and projects. Little old me continued to skim through novels and never actually read through the entire novel from front to back. Me and sparknotes were best friends. That means I missed out on all of the high school curriculum staples like “Lord of the Flies”, “The Great Gatsby” and “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I do remember a lot of “Nineteen Eighty-Four” so maybe I did read a lot of that one. The point is, I continued to move through school without even reading the assigned reading novels. And at this point, my elementary school teacher mother had written me off as a lost cause.
As I reached adulthood, I could count with my fingers the number of books I read and completely got lost in. I would pick up a title, read two chapters, put it down, revisit it three days later, read two more chapters and the pattern continued until I reached half way through the novel and gave up. Maybe I wasn’t choosing the right titles to suit my taste or maybe I didn’t try enough variety of books to find something that I thoroughly enjoyed. Up until this point, I still didn’t understand the idea of getting completely lost in a novel and enjoying every second of it. Almost to the point of me not believing them (and by “them” I mean everyone).
Fastfoward to 2020 and we find ourselves in the midst of the pandemic and lots of time on our hands. I tried a couple books here and there, but nothing stuck until I picked up Jeanette McCurdy’s memoir titled “I’m Glad My Mom Died”. The pacing of the memoir is just quick enough that you never get bored and the sentences are so short and succinct that it feels like you’re in her brain and sitting with her personal thoughts. I sped through the book in two days, which was a first for me. And there it was what everyone was talking about: getting thoroughly swept up in a book. As a pop culture connoisseur myself, a celebrity’s memoir was incredibly easy to sink my teeth into as there were so many early 2000’s touchpoints that I could grasp on to. Maybe I should have started with memoirs from the beginning.
Late 2020 into early 2021, I read many novels. Albeit, novels that were popularized on #booktok, but novels nonetheless. And I was really enjoying it. I finally understood what it felt like to not want to put a book down.
It seems like the most common reading experience is that people loved reading when they were a kid and then slowly stopped reading through adolescence into adulthood. But, for me it was the opposite.
Finally a jump to today, I am an avid reader. A dedicated frequenter of the public library and have a rhythmic holds list of the books I’m looking forward to reading. It feels honestly really strange to think about my entire adolescence growing up and not enjoying reading. When today it’s one of my favourite hobbies and pastimes. I get excited to start a new book and read through an author’s oeuvre.
Current day, I also listen to a lot of audiobooks. A crisp fall day, coffee in hand and a stroll down a tree-lined street sounds like the ultimate afternoon in my book (no pun intended). I have such an appreciation for audiobook voice actors, they bring so much emotion to the story and to the dialogue. At times, I do feel like the voice actors set the tone of the novel and the dialogue and can convey a very specific emotion. I feel as though the sentiment they are conveying in their voice is different than the sentiment I would interprett from the book if I were reading the paperback. But it’s so convenient to listen to an audiobook while multitasking.
My present favourite genre of novels is contemporary fiction. A contemporary fiction author that I really enjoy and have read all of their new releases is Emily Henry. Her novels are very popular on #BookTok and I have read through all of them. In my next post, I will be ranking the five most current novels she has published since 2020: Beach Read (2020), People We Meet On Vacation (2021), Book Lovers (2022), Happy Place (2023) and Funny Story (2024). Be sure to come back to our page to check it out.
It’s hard for me to believe that I didn’t read at all when I was a child, considering I enjoy reading so much now. Ultimately, I feel that it’s a good reminder that’s it’s never too late to pick up a new hobby or activity.
To help get you in the reading mood here’s one of my favourite playlists to listen to while reading:
