Always busy? Why a ‘soft life’ could be the antidote you need to put you first
If the rise of #softlife on social media is any guide, more people are opting out of a busy lifestyle and slowing down. Here’s how to make a soft life work you.
Life these days is 24/7.
We’ve got career goals to achieve, family and friends to entertain, kids to ferry around, 24-hour access to social media, and so much more.
Busy culture has been completely normalised in today’s society, but it can be extremely overwhelming, prompting some people to seek solace in a slower lifestyle.
The trend known online as soft life is taking off, with #softlife attracting well over 760 million views on TikTok and rising.
Rachel Abad, from social impact consultancy Ellis Jones, says it is “all about prioritising self and your needs, your wellbeing and really setting boundaries to essentially live an unburdened life”.
Researchers in the US found feeling pressed for time can have a range of harmful consequences from worse health, to trouble sleeping and depression.
“By pausing to breathe or envision the source of stress in a more positive light, people can enjoy the time they actually have in a healthier and happier way,” the authors conclude.
Rachel says slowing down has definitely been an increasing trend.
“It’s a response to the hustle culture that we’ve started questioning over the past few years,” Rachel says.
“Covid also played a huge role in the way we work, with the boundaries between work life and private life becoming increasingly blurred.
“It made a huge impact on our mental health, and now many people are in a position to question how that impacts our daily lives.”
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What is soft life?
The trend may seem ultra-modern, but it has roots in the slow-food movement that originated in Italy in the 1980s, driven by people rejecting the idea of fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, who instead sought real food and gastronomic pleasure.
Today, the trend has expanded into all aspects of life and The Happiness Hunter founder Fiona Redding says it can have many benefits.
“As we experience life more aligned with our values and without the constant hustle, bustle and distractions, we can have a deeper and more meaningful connection to all of our experiences in life,” Fiona says.
“It will also grow our connection with ourselves, our relationships with others and with the world around us.”
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How to adopt a soft life
Fiona says a great place to start for soft life seekers is to take some time to consider your life “holistically”, identifying what life you want to live and how it can be achieved.
Fiona says practices such as meditation, yoga, stretching, or simply taking a walk are all part of the lifestyle.
Another important aspect of soft living is about simplifying your life, according to Rachel.
“It’s about figuring out what is essential,” Rachel says.
“There is just so much going on these days.
“It can be tough listening to our inner-selves, figuring out what we need and stripping out the rest.”
She recommends decluttering your home, saying no to certain social events and focusing on what material goods you really need.
What are the downsides to a soft life?
Achieving a soft life sounds amazing, but like everything, there is always a flip side.
One common criticism of this trend is that followers must opt out of being contactable 24 hours a day and may need to choose to reduce their work hours.
Of course, this can mean less opportunity for work and money coming in.
“It is something that people bring up a lot when they’re thinking of transitioning,” Rachel says.
“People are really fearful of this type of approach to living because they think they won’t be able to have all the things that they need and want, but in reality, soft living allows them to reshape what their material needs actually are.”
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How you can enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle with a soft life
Rachel says many people achieve soft living by creating solid boundaries between work and life and still achieve their career goals.
In fact, some people report higher levels of productivity and more creative ideas once they have more time to think.
Others choose to opt out of the rat race and live on a lower income in exchange for working less, which can still bring fulfilment.
“If you’re not working as much, you have more time to understand where your money goes, and you have the opportunity to be more conscious about your spending,” Rachel says.
“You may discover you don’t need as much to achieve the life you want.”
Written by Alex White.
