The alarm rings, and before you know it, the day has already begun. You rush out of bed, scroll through notifications, reply to messages and mentally start listing things that have to be done through the day. The day moves quickly, meetings, deadlines, chores and amidst it all, stress starts to creep in. For a lot of us, this endless cycle of hustling and staying busy comes at a cost; our peace and happiness take a backseat.
As the New Year approaches, many have started to question this exhausting way of living. Is constant stress really a sign of success? Is being busy all the time necessary? Is it worth it? This is where the idea of soft life comes in. A gentle shift from burnout towards a kind of balance.
Originating from the influencer community based in Nigeria, the term ‘soft life’ or ‘soft era’ focusses on choosing comfort, ease and joy. Most importantly, it is about reducing unnecessary stress. It encourages people to slow down and live intentionally without guilt.
An important part of the soft life is setting boundaries between work and personal life. It has been observed that when work spills into one’s personal time, it leads to emotional exhaustion and diminished happiness. In fact, a December 2023 study published in Frontiers of Psychology found that blurred work-life boundaries can negatively impact our wellbeing. The soft life reminds us that rest is not laziness and balance is not weakness.
As Attiya Awadallah, integrative therapist and founder of Lenora Therapy states, “A ‘soft life’ is about choosing ease, joy and alignment with your true self. It’s about simplifying your approach to life, prioritising emotional, mental and physical well-being and creating a sense of balance and fulfillment. Instead of constantly striving for achievement or external validation, a soft life encourages you to slow down and embrace peace, rest and meaningful connections.”
So, join us as we explore why more people are choosing the soft life this new year, and how it can benefit you too.
Many of us grow up believing that being busy all the time is a good thing. We are conditioned to be punctual, meet deadlines without delay and stay sharp. We are taught to constantly prove our worth through productivity. From our schools to workplaces, we are taught that working hard is true mark of success. This mindset later seeps into the hustle culture, where rest is called laziness and slowing down may be branded as failure.
Hustle culture encourages people to work harder, sleep lesser and keep pushing themselves, even when they are tired at times. Research supports this too. A study by Marianna Virtanen at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, shows that long-term overworking can lead to serious health issues such as depression, weakened memory and even heart diseases. Choosing the soft life means stepping away from this cycle and learning to rest, pause and slow our movements. Moving away from the hustle culture and choosing the soft life is about living with balance and care. It is about making sustainability the centre of one’s day.
In today’s fast-paced world, mental and emotional health is often pushed aside. Many people live in constant stress, worry and pressure without realising how it is impacting their wellbeing. According to the World Health Organisation, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the world. In fact, it affected around 359 million people in the year 2021. These numbers show the emotional strain many of us tend to feel in the modern world.
One of the main benefits of choosing the soft life is that it helps protect one’s mental and emotional health. The soft life encourages people to slow down, listen to their needs and take regular breaks without guilt. It promotes checking in with oneself, setting limits and choosing what feels emotionally safe and supportive.
It has been seen that by prioritising mental and emotional wellbeing, people feel calmer. The soft life reminds us that caring for our mental health is essential for living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
The soft life is a way of living that encourages slowing down and choosing peace and joy over constant hustle.
Many people are tired of burnout and constant pressure. The new year feels like the right time to choose a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
The soft life is about setting boundaries, working in a healthier way, and making time for rest and personal life.
The soft life encourages rest, self-care, and listening to your needs, which can reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
You can start by slowing down, setting work-life boundaries, letting go of guilt around rest, and making intentional choices that support your happiness and wellbeing.
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