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Can anyone relate to dreading Monday? You snooze your alarm one too many times, wake up 15 minutes before class, throw on whatever’s clean, and buy an overpriced, low-quality iced coffee just to function for the day. Maybe breakfast is an orange, a granola bar, a Pop-Tart, cold pizza, or nothing at all. It’s a fast-paced, carb and caffeine-fueled lifestyle that feels more like survival than self-love. And by god, it takes a toll on you.
But imagine this instead: you wake up slowly at 6 a.m., feeling rested. You drink a glass of water, take your vitamins, and step into the soft morning light for a short walk. You breathe, stretch, and move with ease. You planned breakfast ahead of time, so you’re eating healthy carbs and protein to fuel you, preventing a midday sugar crash. You’re calm. You’re confident. You’re ready.
It might sound like a fantasy, but it’s actually just a shift in intention. There is a way to own your mornings, your Mondays, and your mindset. And no, it doesn’t require a trust fund or luxury skincare.
Originally coined and embraced by Black women creators and influencers, the “soft life” is a lifestyle rooted in ease, peace, pleasure, and self-care. It’s about choosing joy over hustle culture, prioritizing your wellbeing, and finding beauty in the little things.
Let’s be clear: living the soft life is not about material wealth. It’s not about five-star vacations, spa memberships, or $300 silk sheets (though, if you have those, good for you). It’s about being intentional with your time, energy, and self-preservation.
It’s saying, I don’t have to earn rest or joy: I deserve it.
When your days feel monotonous, exhausting, or chaotic (hello, college!), romanticizing your routine can be a powerful form of self-care. Turning everyday tasks into intentional, pleasurable moments reduces stress and boosts your mood, which allows you to reconnect with the present.
Whether it’s lighting a candle before class or sipping your coffee in silence, these small rituals give you back a sense of control. They remind you that beauty isn’t something you need to wait for: it’s already within reach.
Here’s how to soften your routine with budget-friendly tips that feel good without costing a fortune:
- Play your favorite music while you get ready to set the tone.
- Make your morning drink in your favorite mug and actually sit to enjoy it, even for five minutes.
- Compile a list of quick, healthy breakfast ideas to keep yourself fueled every day.
- Use colorful pens, highlighters, and cute stickers to make note-taking more effective and enjoyable.
- Find some of your coziest campus spots, whether it’s library corners, coffee shops, or even a sunny bench. Make it your study sanctuary.
- Hit the thrift store for robes, journals, and aesthetic decor like fairy lights or candles.
- Use student shopping aids like StudentBeans or Unidays to save when you do need to shop.
- Prioritize fitness by scheduling short, consistent workouts into your week. Even a 20-minute walk, stretch, or gym session can keep you energized and balanced amidst a busy college schedule.
- Plan DIY spa nights with friends: think nail painting, tea, face masks, and good convo.
- Put your phone away. Journal, read, or listen to a podcast instead of doomscrolling. Feed your brain with knowledge.
- Upgrade your instant noodles with an egg, scallions, sesame oil, or frozen veggies.
- Create a sleep ritual. It could include 30 minutes with no phone (or at least use night mode), dim lighting, your favorite scent (try lavender!), a satin pillowcase, and a bedtime meditation.
Let’s be real: living the soft life doesn’t mean every day will be perfect. There will still be all-nighters, looming deadlines, tough classes, and moments where you feel like you’re barely keeping it together. But don’t confuse softness with avoidance. You can preserve softness whilst having the discipline to create space for peace in the middle of daily chaos. You don’t have to add chores to your to-do list or keep up with the Joneses; living a soft life simply reframes your mind to treat yourself well and prioritize your future outlook. When you follow through on the promises you make to yourself (doing what you said you would, when you said you would), you build confidence that no one can take away. Not a professor, not a potential employer, not your siblings, your neighbors, or even a disappointing date. Nobody.
It’s saying: Yes, life is hard right now, but I’m still going to light that candle, journal my feelings, hit a workout, and take care of myself anyway. That’s real strength.
You don’t have to wait until you graduate, move out, or have a high-paying job to live well. You deserve softness, beauty, and rest now. If you’re always waiting for something, you’ll never be living. You can do it right here, in your dorm, with your instant coffee and your Goodwill finds.
Start today: find one thing you can romanticize throughout your day and live your best life!