The True Cost Of Living A Soft Life On A Hard Budget
In a perfect world, we’d all like to wake up at noon, go have brunch, shop after, squeeze in a nap, and go wherever the wind blows afterward. Unfortunately, we don’t all have such luxuries. Present-day, the “soft life” social media trend has evolved into what some may call a facade, as what people choose to post online can be fabrications of their reality.
Let’s explore the true cost of living, said “soft life” while on a tight (realistic) budget, and see if it is financially possible. How soft can one’s life truly be in the real world?
What Exactly Is A ‘Soft Life?’
According to Dictionary.com, it’s a lifestyle of comfort and relaxation with minimal challenges or stress. Some people use the term in reference to a life that involves (and is a product of) wealth and luxury, while others interpret it as simply being a simplified life unburdened from stress and responsibilities.
Oftentimes, a soft life is glorified as a life of ease, focusing less on working and paying bills, but instead enjoying nature, prioritizing hobbies, and pampering; all of the things that aren’t regular activities that the average person with a full-time job can do at any time are considered soft. Soft is life without stress.
How Does It Feed Into Consumerism
Consumerism comes into play with the unlimited amount of products, places, activities, and more that can equate to a soft life. There’s an abundance of opportunity to tag, link, highlight, and create content online with brand deals, influencers, and the like to persuade people to purchase certain things to experience the ultimate effects of living a slower, more peaceful life.
Science of Retail adds that home cooking has moved beyond the utilitarian. Sourdough starters, small-batch pasta, and slow-roasted vegetables now fill social feeds. Activities that emphasize repetition, presence, and tactility (e.g., knitting, puzzles, journaling, gardening) have surged in popularity. Pilates has reemerged as a favored form of movement. It is praised for its focus on alignment, control, and low-impact strength. Even cleaning has been reimagined as a soothing ritual, with content creators dedicating entire channels to gentle restocks and reset routines.
A Soft Life Can Hit Hard Financially… Without A Plan
According to Mindy Smoak of Her Agenda, a soft life is financially attainable as long as you are willing to be wise and create a plan. When making decisions about how to live a soft life, think about this advice from Denee Tamia, a TikTok content creator and advocate of soft living, and add how to budget for it to your priorities.
If you have a tight budget, fixed income, or your hands are tied, planning is the best way to use your money wisely. Seeing your finances on paper can make all the difference. Write out your income(s), bills, expenses, necessities, and things you can do without, and a soft life may be feasible for you.
Is A Soft Life Self-Care On Steroids?
A soft life is often noted as a more boundary-filled, elevated, and intentional form of self-care. The major difference is that self-care isn’t as frequent as opposed to a soft life. For example, a person may get a massage for their birthday annually as self-care, while another person may get a massage every month, living a soft life.
People like to look at a soft life as freedom, free will, and fearlessness. It is a gamble, yet the intent is to recalibrate the system of life and reimagine it in a way that is beneficial to you. Instead of prioritizing and dedicating your life to work, stressing over bills, and living paycheck to paycheck, a soft life challenges you to prioritize yourself and the happiness you feel you deserve.
