I remember the moment it dawned on me: my life was just one never-ending race.
I was rushing from one freelance assignment to the next, juggling social obligations, and barely pausing to breathe.
All around me, people wore their busyness like a badge of honor—until I caught a glimpse of my own reflection in a café window.
It struck me how exhausted and frazzled I looked, despite doing “everything right” according to the hustle playbook.
That day, I made a decision that changed my life: I let go of the relentless push for more and started saying yes to a gentler pace.
It’s called “soft living,” but it’s really just a choice to value presence and peace over perpetual productivity.
What followed was a sense of relief and clarity I hadn’t felt in years, and I haven’t looked back since.
Rethinking my relationship with productivity
To begin with, I always believed that my worth was tied to how busy I was.
Growing up, I’d hear classmates brag about pulling all-nighters to study or working back-to-back shifts.
When I launched into my career facilitating workshops on stress management, I had no idea I’d eventually fall into the same trap of measuring my success by how little time I had to spare.
In the midst of it all, I ignored the signals my body was sending—tension in my neck, frequent headaches, and that constant sinking feeling of being behind.
A mentor once asked, “How much is your hustle costing you?” and I had no clear answer.
It was easier to stay in motion than to pause and question whether the frantic pace was actually leading me anywhere fulfilling.
Soft living, for me, began with acknowledging that nonstop hustle wasn’t serving my health or relationships.
It meant ditching the guilt I felt whenever I wasn’t “productive.”
Once I allowed myself pockets of rest, I noticed my creativity flourished, my mood stabilized, and I actually enjoyed my days rather than just surviving them.
Defining what “soft living” really means
Soft living isn’t about laziness or having zero ambition.
In fact, I still have goals and projects—I just approach them with more awareness and self-compassion.
Instead of expecting perfection, I’m content to make consistent progress while also safeguarding my mental and emotional energy.
It’s about creating a lifestyle that honors who I am, not who I think I should be.
I started saying no to tasks that drained me, even if they brought in extra money or superficial praise.
It felt odd at first—my old hustle-driven voice told me I was slacking—but slowly, I realized that selective effort is more aligned with sustainable success.
Contrary to what hustle culture might have you believe, embracing a soft pace can actually open new doors.
You free up mental bandwidth to innovate and explore, rather than sprinting on a hamster wheel of tasks.
And that makes any effort you do invest far more meaningful and impactful.
Breaking free from limiting beliefs
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was the internal dialogue telling me, “You’re not doing enough, you’re wasting time.”
That voice was shaped by years of equating self-worth with busyness.
To silence it, I had to dig deep into my own mindset and unpack the beliefs holding me hostage.
I ended up exploring Rudá Iandê’s Free Your Mind masterclass because I needed concrete tools to rewrite the script in my head.
I remember feeling slightly skeptical—I’d done plenty of webinars and workshops before, so what could this one add?
But the difference was Ruda’s focus on peeling back the layers of social conditioning that keep us running on fumes.
During the sessions, I noticed how I’d been scared of “losing” opportunities if I slowed down. Turns out, that fear was baseless.
Once I confronted it and practiced radical self-love, I realized I could let go of the belief that productivity equals worth.
By the end of the masterclass, I felt lighter and more in tune with what genuinely motivates me—rather than what I thought I had to do to be seen as successful.
Cultivating mindfulness and balance daily
Soft living isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a lifestyle that requires ongoing practice.
Mindfulness has become my go-to tool for keeping balance in check.
I start many mornings with a brief meditation, even if it’s just a few minutes of guided breathing.
Focusing on daily awareness helps me notice when I’m tempted to overcommit or slip back into old hustle patterns.
It’s in those moments that I’ll pause and evaluate: Am I taking this on out of genuine interest or from a fear of missing out?
That question alone has saved me from countless hours of stress and overextension.
I also lean on simple rituals to maintain emotional equilibrium—like journaling before bed or unwinding with a calming yoga flow.
These small habits anchor me in the present.
It’s incredible how purposeful breathing or writing down a few reflections can refuel my energy and help me approach challenges with a clear head.
Finding deeper fulfillment
Looking back, I realize I was stuck in autopilot for years, chasing achievements without asking if they really mattered to me.
Shifting to a “soft” approach opened the door to a richer sense of fulfillment—one that comes from alignment with my true values.
Now, I no longer measure my days by how many tasks I complete but by how genuinely I show up for each one.
Surprisingly, I’ve become more efficient in the tasks I do undertake because I’m giving them my full, focused attention.
Instead of multitasking late into the night, I wrap up earlier, rest better, and wake up ready to tackle what truly needs my energy.
Fulfillment also looks like having time for the people and experiences that matter.
I’ve reconnected with old friends and discovered new hobbies that energize me—like exploring hidden local cafés or journaling about my travels.
Being free from the hustle mindset means I’m more present in every moment, whether I’m working on a project or simply enjoying a cup of tea.
Conclusion
Choosing this softer, more mindful path is one of the smartest moves I’ve ever made.
It has healed my relationship with work and restored my sense of peace.
If you’ve been yearning for a similar shift, I invite you to explore Ruda Iande’s Free Your Mind masterclass yourself.
Don’t let limiting beliefs dictate your life. When you liberate your mind from the need to hustle nonstop, you free yourself to focus on what’s truly meaningful.
That’s when genuine growth—and joy—can finally take root.
