In the not-so-distant past, success was synonymous with being busy. The more hours you clocked, the earlier you rose, the more side hustles you juggled—the closer you were to achieving your dreams. “Sleep is for the weak” wasn’t just a slogan; it was a mantra for millions swept up in hustle culture. But something has shifted. Fast.
Today, a new lifestyle philosophy is gaining traction, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z: the concept of soft living. It’s not about giving up but giving in—to rest, to intention, to emotional ease, and to a slower, more fulfilling pace of life. In an era defined by burnout, record levels of stress, and rising awareness of mental health, soft living is resonating like a balm on a bruised generation.
So, what exactly is soft living—and why is hustle culture suddenly so passé?
Photo by Lisa
What Is Soft Living?
Soft living, sometimes described as “slow living” or “rest culture,” is the conscious rejection of the fast-paced, productivity-obsessed lifestyle that defined the 2010s. It’s about ease over effort, sustainability over speed, pleasure over pressure. A soft life isn’t void of ambition—it simply prioritizes well-being over burnout.
Think: quiet mornings with tea, journaling for clarity, choosing work that nourishes rather than depletes, making space for hobbies, setting boundaries without guilt, and saying “no” without explanation. Soft living isn’t laziness—it’s liberation from systems that equate worth with output.
In short, it’s the anti-hustle.
The End of the Hustle Hype
Hustle culture didn’t emerge out of nowhere. It rose from the ashes of the 2008 financial crisis, when traditional career paths shattered and young people were told to “make their own way.” The gig economy exploded, and social media platforms romanticized 16-hour workdays and 5 a.m. workouts. Success was a personal responsibility, and if you didn’t have it, you simply weren’t working hard enough.
However, by the time the pandemic struck, the cracks in hustle culture had begun to show. Lockdowns forced people to slow down, reassess their values, and confront long-ignored burnout. Suddenly, constant striving looked more like suffering. The global trauma of COVID-19 prompted many to reevaluate what truly mattered: health, time, freedom, and peace.
Add to this the rise of mental health awareness, ongoing economic instability, and an ever-growing cost of living crisis, and the relentless hustle started to feel not just unsustainable but out of touch.
Social Media’s Role in the Shift
Ironically, the same platforms that once glorified hustle culture are now driving the soft living revolution. On TikTok and Instagram, content tagged with #SoftLife or #SoftLiving has gained popularity, featuring creators lounging in sun-drenched bedrooms, cooking elaborate breakfasts, or strolling slowly through flower markets.
Rather than glorifying grindset routines, they promote “romanticizing your life,” setting boundaries at work, and investing in self-care rituals. Morning routines now include meditation, skin care, and affirmations, not checking emails. The vibe is cozy, calm, and curated, not chaotic.
It’s not all aesthetics, though. Many of these creators talk openly about mental health, trauma recovery, and learning to live differently in a world that still rewards overwork. Soft living, for many, is both rebellion and recovery.
The Economics of Rest
One valid criticism of the soft living approach is that it often appears most attainable for people with financial privilege. After all, it’s easier to prioritize rest when your bills are paid and you’re not juggling three jobs just to make rent.
But the core of soft living isn’t about luxury—it’s about intentionality. It’s about asking: how much do I actually need to be happy? What can I say no to? How can I create more space in my life, even in small ways? It might mean taking a walk on your lunch break instead of eating at your desk. Or choosing a lower-paying job that allows for more freedom and flexibility.
Increasingly, people are redefining success—not by how much money they make, but by how free and well they feel. And that redefinition is a radical act in a capitalist society that thrives on endless striving.
Rest as Resistance
At its heart, soft living is not just a lifestyle trend—it’s a cultural critique. It challenges the systems that made burnout normal and productivity sacred. It’s about reclaiming time, energy, and agency in a world that demands constant performance.
In her groundbreaking book Rest Is Resistance, Tricia Hersey—founder of The Nap Ministry—writes: “Rest is a form of resistance because it disrupts and pushes back against capitalism and white supremacy.” Hersey’s work emphasizes that rest isn’t just self-care—it’s a social justice issue.
Soft living aligns with this thinking. It centers the idea that people deserve ease, not just exhaustion. That healing requires space. That life is not a race, but a rhythm.
The Soft Life in Practice
Soft living can look different for everyone, but common threads run through:
- Prioritizing mental and physical health: Therapy, journaling, rest days, and joyful movement.
- Setting boundaries: Saying no to overwork, overcommitment, and toxic relationships.
- Slowing down: Mindful routines, unhurried mornings, digital detoxes.
- Intentional living: Spending time, energy, and money in ways that align with values.
- Cultivating joy: Hobbies, community, nature, and pleasure.
It’s less about doing nothing and more about doing what matters—on your own terms.
Who’s Leading the Movement?
While soft living appeals to all ages, it’s especially resonant with younger generations—particularly Gen Z—who have grown up witnessing the failures of hustle culture in real time. They’ve seen parents burned out, watched peers chase influencer status to exhaustion, and lived through a pandemic that made mortality and fragility impossible to ignore.
Soft living is also deeply popular among Black women, who coined and popularized the term “soft life” online. For many, embracing softness is an intentional shift from a societal expectation of strength, endurance, and caregiving. Choosing softness is choosing self-worth.
Will the Soft Life Last?
Skeptics call it a trend, but soft living reflects a deeper shift in values. As more people suffer from chronic stress, anxiety, and disillusionment with traditional career paths, the appeal of a softer, slower life is likely to endure.
Workplaces are already responding, with more companies offering flexible schedules, mental health days, and remote work options. Therapy is less taboo. Burnout is finally being acknowledged—and treated.
If hustle culture is about proving yourself, soft living is about accepting yourself.
Final Thoughts: The New Ambition
Embracing a soft life doesn’t mean giving up on goals—it means reshaping them. It means choosing ease where you can, peace when it’s available, and softness not as a weakness, but as a strength.
In a world that constantly demands more, the boldest move might just be to do less—and live better.
markmunroe