Soft living is the art of creating relaxation, ease, and inner peace for oneself. It is a beautiful thing to learn, and even more so when it is applied to one’s daily life.

Before we begin, read the next paragraph and then complete the following actions to get yourself into a state of zen.

Wherever you are, close your eyes. Let them droop, fall, and stay closed. Now, place one hand on your stomach and the other on your heart, then take a deep breath in and exhale. Repeat this until you feel yourself listening only to your senses rather than your thoughts.

For some, I’m sure you found that exercise a little ridiculous. However, for those who took it seriously, I hope the weight on your shoulders feels a little lighter.

For the latter group, the exercise above is just one of many activities you can do to start living a soft life. Other activities can include walking in nature without major distractions, declining invitations, journaling, and doing a daily act of self-care.

The first exercise is one that many people do every day: walking. Except for this exercise, find your nearest green space, park, or forest and begin walking. Before you start, I recommend wearing headphones and only playing music.

Ultimately, you have free will, so you are more than welcome to do whatever you like. However, if you’re on the phone with someone, scrolling through TikTok, or doing anything in between, it will take your focus away.

While walking, you should play light music to help you get out of your head. Focusing on what you hear and what you see is the ultimate goal. As you walk, notice five things around you and say them to yourself.

You may notice the giant trees around you or animals swimming in a nearby pond. No matter what you notice, I can promise you that this activity, when followed, will bring you a lot of peace.

Another action that can bring you peace is declining invitations to parties, work events, or someone’s housewarming. As someone who is still learning to build boundaries, I know this idea is easier said than done.

It can be incredibly difficult to say no to someone or something you care about. However, you deserve to show the same amount of love and care to yourself.

What I am saying is something like this: let’s say you and your close friend plan to get dinner and go shopping on a Friday night. The two of you talk about it all week, but on Friday, you have a horrible day.

Perhaps you got into an argument with your significant other, had a challenging week at work, or received news that a family member is ill.

However, if any part of you—even slightly—does not want to go out, you have the right to change plans. When doing so, explain the situation as much as you feel comfortable, perhaps apologize, and suggest another time to get together.

Declining an invitation never means being cruel. It simply means protecting your boundaries and not pushing yourself to your breaking point.

The third exercise is to write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. You may start your entries however you like.

Some people may write about something that went wrong at school. Others may doodle their feelings away. There is no correct method for journaling.

If you want to take this a step further, you could write letters to your future or past self.

The final exercise is practicing a daily act of self-care. Some examples include doing your skincare routine, saying positive affirmations in the mirror, or turning off all devices after 8 p.m.

Personally, I use lavender Epsom salts while soaking in my bathtub. This allows me to relax my muscles and ease stress after a long day.

At the end of the day, whether you are currently living a soft life or working toward one, I hope these exercises bring you some much-needed peace.