Soft Life: A controversial trend? Or a wellness lifestyle?
The #SoftLife movement has hit social media so quickly that everyone wants to know exactly what it is and why it’s so controversial.
What is the meaning of a soft life, and why have so many women stepped into their soft life era? There are various definitions floating around but the main components of it are living a life with limited stress, anxiety, and suffering. Choosing the path of least resistance, and focusing on a life of wellness. So why would anyone have a problem with it?
Millennials being the creators of the soft life, have taken some backlash as it’s become more popular, particularly with women of culture. Black and Brown women are entering their soft era and doing away with hard work that’s detrimental to their well being. The opposing view is, what kind of world will we live in if everyone starts abandoning the “grind mode” work ethic we’ve grown so accustomed to? In the workforce, they want to know if the soft life is leading to quiet quitting. Recently, the soft life has become almost synonymous with laziness; a very narrow minded, and dismissive viewpoint.
The first thing that comes to mind when someone speaks of a Black woman, is the “strong Black woman” trope. We’ve come to a fork in the road where Black and Brown women are determined to shift away from that identity, and into one that doesn’t require them to do it all every day. Women of culture want to live a life of ease and serenity. So many want to get off the hamster wheel of stress and burn out.
In terms of the backlash, we have to ask ourselves, “Who benefits from us staying in the role we want to move away from? Who benefits from us working so hard, that we don’t have time for ourselves or our families? Who benefits from us putting ourselves last? Who benefits from us staying in a headspace that doesn’t allow for leisure and fun? But most importantly, who benefits from us being out of tune with ourselves, our feminine energy and sensuality? Why is it that when women of culture want to cherish themselves, it’s seen as negative?”
Everything in moderation, is a simple way of living. Working smart, and not hard is smiled upon for certain demographics. Now women who look like me, and you have found their way to a lifestyle that suits them and that is to be celebrated and honored, not criticized. It should also be encouraged and admired.
While social media might portray it as spa days, and luxury experiences, there’s more to it than a capitalist mindset. There’s nothing wrong with valuing rest, and elevating your lifestyle in a way that feels good to you. So if you’ve wanted to live a soft life, start getting to know your authentic self, and incorporating tranquil experiences into your days. See where it leads you, and enjoy the journey.
Will this movement forever change how we show up in the world? Or will we again come to a point where we value the grind more than ourselves? The world wants to know if the soft life can be sustained, but it looks like we’re more than ready to leave what no longer serves us in the past.