it’s okay to want a soft life instead of the constant hustle
When I think of a soft life, I think of peace, financial stability and a steady job.
I think of going out with my friends and having work-life balance without stressing about layoffs or what comes next. I think of letting go of the stress and burnout that work can cause.
Wanting a soft life looks differently for everyone, but I think of it as choosing my inner peace and self care over the constant hustle and trying to be richer, more successful, better looking, etc.
It allows you to enjoy the present without comparing yourself to others and what you thought your wealth would look like right now.
This economy looks so differently from what we grew up seeing and what was promised to us, but it’s important to give yourself grace for your current situation and embrace the stillness of the now.
It’s okay to want a soft life instead of the constant hustle, and here are some reasons why.
it’s okay to not be rich.
So, yes, feeling comfortable in life comes with having money and being able to spend money when you need (and want) to. I don’t want to downplay that.
The economy also sucks right now. It’s almost impossible not to live paycheck to paycheck for most of us, or we feel like we’re constantly saving for the next thing.
Oftentimes, I feel behind financially because I’m seeing what people my age are posting on social media. They’re buying a home, going on vacations, flaunting their new designer bags and going out all the time.
And these are just people I know, so you can imagine the celebrity/influencer comparison.
I also grew up knowing I wanted to be rich when I was older. I mean didn’t most of us fantasize about living in a mansion as an adult? So when you’re actually an adult and can’t afford a home (let alone a mansion), it’s natural to get in your head about it.
It’s natural to feel like you need extra jobs, a side hustle, a scam or some way to get money to fulfill the dream and your inner expectation that you should be wealthy.
But it’s okay to not be a millionaire. It’s okay to not make six figures. It’s okay to be satisfied with making an amount of money that allows you to eat when you’re hungry, sleep with a roof over your head and enjoy some extra goodies when you save up.
it’s okay to not actually want the extra work.
If you asked me in college what I want out of my career, I would have given you a detailed list of a 10-year plan.
Even if you ask me now, I’ll most likely hype up my ambitions. “I want to do this, this and this.” Part of it’s true, but part of me also knows that I can be a little lazy.
I really enjoy getting off work early on Fridays, not having to work weekends and sleeping past 6am. Those are all things I didn’t have a year ago in my previous job.
I liked the hustle and feeling like I was working at a big company with all these responsibilities. But it burns you out so badly. It makes you feel like your whole life is determined by where and what you do for work.
It also makes you compare yourself to other people’s careers and how the timeline differs. If they had the same title as me but were five years younger, am I doing something wrong? Should I be higher up by now?
I may secretly enjoy the clout and pride of being successful, but I often don’t like doing the actual work.
And I know, I know, I have to work. I can’t quit working all together like I wish I could, but I don’t have to be miserable at a job I have to show up to every day. I don’t have to constantly prove myself and strive for the next promotion or raise.
I can enjoy where I am in my career without obsessing over the future. I can let myself learn and grow into a role versus expecting myself to be perfect immediately and hustle to the next thing.
it’s okay to prefer a slower pace.
I live in a city that’s filled with young professionals, and everything is always on go.
It can be overwhelming, especially on those days you’re not driven by your career and determined to be successful.
There’s plenty of days where I feel excited to work (usually while drinking a cup of coffee), and there’s plenty of days where I dread going into work. You should enjoy your job more days than you don’t like it, but that’s not feasible for everyone, including me.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the days where my work day is a little slower and more chill. I want to enjoy the crazy, hectic days doing something I love, but I admit that I want more slow days than busy ones.
And that’s okay.
It’s okay to want a slower pace. It doesn’t mean you’re not ambitious, and it doesn’t mean you're lazy.
Everyone thrives in a different environment, and that’s more than fine.
self love daily planner
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it’s okay to not be stressed all the time.
Have you ever thought that feeling stressed is a sign that you’re working hard? After a long day at work, my shoulders might be tense, and my head might hurt from the racing thoughts.
But I also feel like I actually deserve a glass of wine or extra rest because of the stress. And because I’ve been working so hard.
I think that’s the toxicity of American work culture though. I think society wants us to equate stress to being a good worker, and it’s seen as normal to be overwhelmed and burnt out.
If your coworker is complaining about how stressed they are, chances are you’re agreeing and venting about your own stress before encouraging them to take a break.
It’s seen as work culture, but I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to not want to be stressed all the time.
Better than that, it’s okay to take steps to lessen the workload or take off responsibilities, or other factors, that are contributing to your stress.
Stress can silently kill your body, nervous system and mental health. And I just don’t think a job is worth doing all that for.
Here are some stress management strategies to incorporate for a softer lifestyle, including meditation, discussing the triggers, physical techniques and more.
