The concept of ‘soft living’ revolves around taking a break from hustle culture, rejecting everything that comes with it and prioritising happiness.
A soft life is subjective, meaning it can look different for everyone.
This lifestyle originated with and still primarily refers to women of colour, but everyone can look for ways to soften.
Limiting stress and focusing on joy should be at the top of your to-do list, regardless of race or orientation. A happy and healthy life is available to all who seek it.
Here are some ways the concept of a soft life can inspire you, and how you can embrace it.
Living a soft life prevents burnout
Making a conscious choice to set boundaries and protect yourself from things that don’t serve your purpose has myriad benefits.
Setting boundaries and learning to say no can preserve your energy and prevent burnout. This can apply to your job, home life or friendships.
Setting boundaries in friendships can help you maintain balance, improve your relationships and prevent burnout from being a people pleaser.
Living a soft life is about cultivating what serves you and putting everything else on the back burner.
However, this doesn’t mean being a bad friend or quitting your day job. It just means you are paying attention to what you’re receiving and not just what you’re putting out there.
Living a soft life promotes a healthy lifestyle
The concept of a soft life is to put your needs first rather than everyone else’s.
Healthy living is something your body craves and needs. Consider getting outdoors more because it nurtures your mood and health.
Spending too much time at work or on daily tasks limits your physical activity. This sedentary lifestyle can contribute to health problems like obesity and overall unhappiness.
Take a leisurely walk in the park, go to the gym or take a dance class to prioritise your health. Moderate exercise can have myriad benefits for your wellbeing.
Living a soft life prioritises self-care
Soft living puts your needs first, and everyone needs to prioritise self-care.
Self-care is essential to your overall health. Working too much can leave you feeling drained and uninspired and cause anxiety levels to spike.
Set goals, practise gratitude and challenge negativity so you can focus on what counts. Self-care can increase your energy levels and lower your risk of illness.
As they say, you cannot pour from an empty cup, so take the time to practise self-care to nourish your mind and body.
Self-care can be as simple as writing in a journal daily and practising mindfulness or meditation.
It can also include going to the gym or booking a spa appointment — it’s all about what you need.
Living a soft life reduces stress
Leaning into what brings you happiness will help you manage stress.
Saying no can help you reduce tension. Protecting your energy from toxic jobs or relationships can soothe your soul, and taking time for rest can also boost your mental health.
Ensuring you get optimal sleep can be a significant component of soft living. You want to provide your body with the sleep it needs to thrive. You need at least seven hours of sleep per night between the ages of 18 and 60.
Getting adequate rest can minimise stress and contribute to a happier and healthier lifestyle. If you have trouble sleeping, consider starting a bedtime routine and being consistent when you go to bed.
Living a soft life boosts productivity
The concept of soft living isn’t about refraining from hard work — it’s about using your time and efforts wisely.
Prioritising your passion and what’s important to you will increase your productivity and lead to better results.
Busy environments can benefit those who prefer them, but they can be daunting to those who don’t.
Cultivate your happiness by finding what works for you and nourishing it. Being mindful and living with intention isn’t lazy — it’s actually the opposite. Putting your best foot forward can maximise your outcome.
For many, a soft life doesn’t mean a life of luxury. You must work to meet obligations but choose where and how to devote most of your time.
Living a soft life raises self-awareness
Knowing how to find and nurture your happiness increases self-awareness, which can boost your self-esteem and help your confidence soar.
You can prioritise your mental health by practising gratitude and mindfulness and living in the moment.
Practising gratitude has various benefits, like boosting your immune system and cultivating a positive outlook that can produce positive results.
Self-awareness can help you acknowledge your weaknesses and maximise your strengths, enhancing your experiences and contributing to your success.
Benefits of living a soft life
The soft life trend gained traction on TikTok because it holds weight and can apply to everyone.
Work ethic should remain intact, but toxic jobs aren’t worth your time or effort and can destroy your wellbeing.
Do what’s right for you and embrace prioritising your wants and needs, and being the best you possible.
