How to Live a Soft Life: Uncover the Meaning of This TikTok Term

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Co-authored by Sophie Burkholder, BA Reviewed by Seth Hall

Last Updated: May 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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What does soft life mean?

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Origins & Usage

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Cultural Context

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Living a Soft Life

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If you’ve been anywhere on social media, you’ve probably witnessed the emergence of “the soft life”—a simplistic, laid-back approach to life that prioritizes peace and ease over stress and hustle culture. But there’s more to the #softlife trend than meets the eye—which is why we’ve created this complete guide to soft life, including the meaning of this slang term, the cultural context and history behind it, and examples of how to use it yourself. Plus, we spoke to expert life coaches and executive coaches to give you actionable steps to create your own soft life.

Soft Life Meaning

Soft life is a social media trend all about a life of ease, simplicity, and slowing down to appreciate the smaller moments of joy. Rather than wealth and luxury, the soft life promotes peace, vulnerability, intentionality, and the prioritization of mental and emotional health.

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What does soft life mean?

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Soft life means an easy and peaceful life with minimal stress and difficulty. Soft life is a lifestyle that prioritizes comfort and relaxation, often focused on simplicity and an appreciation of peace, tenderness, vulnerability, and slow living. In theory, soft life is not about a life of leisure in terms of materialism or wealth—rather, it advocates for slowing down and enjoying life, as well as nurturing your mind and body with practices like therapy, adequate sleep, nutritious eating, and joyful exercise. ^{[1]
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- The term “soft life” is often compared to phrases like “the good life,” although that term more strongly implies leisure and luxury.
- The soft life trend is not connected to the “soft girl” aesthetic, although they sometimes get confused with one another. The “soft girl” is a style aesthetic that revolves around all things cutesy, feminine, and cozy. ^{[2]
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Origins & Usage of “Soft Life”

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Soft life gained mainstream attention as a social media trend in 2022. The term “soft life” has been around as a general phrase for a long time—even dating back to the 16th century—but it gained popularity in 2020 as people began to reject the struggles of working a stressful job and advocate for stress-free lives. In 2022, “soft life” became a major mainstream trend after being used by Nigerian TikTok influencers like Sisi Yemmie ( @sisiyemmie ). ^{[3]
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- Although the “soft life” trend is popular across many different groups, it’s especially popular amongst and can be attributed to younger Black social media users, particularly Black women. ^{[4]
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The slang term is often used on social media with the hashtag #softlife. The hashtag appears on posts that showcase the “soft life” ideal as well as aspirational posts about the user’s desire for a soft life. Originally, the term was used by Nigerian influencers to share tips on self-care, but it’s since blown up to include shopping guides, dating advice, and think pieces on Black female liberation. ^{[5]
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Research source} Some examples of how soft life is used on social media include:
- “I quit my 9-to-5 job so I could leave the grind behind and live the soft life.”
- “My career goals? Living a soft life with my loved ones and being stress-free.”
- “I love a slow morning, I’m so content 🥺❤️ #SoftLife”
- “Cozy blankets, my favorite snacks, and watching Bridgerton . 🌹 My kinda #SoftLife.”
- “I just want a soft life tbh, I’m not built for stress.”
- “Woke up anxious & called out. Your daily reminder that mental health is health! #softlife”
- “Born for the soft life, forced to climb the corporate ladder 😩”
- “Sundays are all about the soft life!! Peace, unwinding, family, food, comfort, laziness, love…”

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Cultural Context Around Soft Life

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The “soft life” concept aims to shift the conversation around what it means to be successful. Rather than endlessly hustling for more money and more status, the soft life advocates for a balanced lifestyle that centers rest and renewal above all else, rejecting the idea that we must “earn” a living rather than just having a right to live. ^{[6]
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Soft life is seen as a rallying cry for BIPOC and other marginalized people. The “soft life” trend was created and popularized primarily by Black women, and they see it as a way to cultivate spaces of rest and healing for people who have been marginalized. BIPOC individuals, and Black women in particular, are forced to struggle against generational patterns of stress, trauma, displacement, discrimination, and erasure.
- These groups use “soft life” as a way to reclaim their livelihood and take the opportunity to do things differently from prior generations that had to be strong and endure. ^{[7]
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Critics see soft life as capitalistic, privileged, and lazy. The idea of “soft life” can seem laughable at a glance—after all, not everyone has the time and money to live a so-called “stress-free” or relaxed life. However, it’s important to remember that the soft life trend isn’t meant to be about treat-your-self purchases or expensive days at the spa (although some social media users may depict it this way). ^{[8]
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- Rather, it’s about slowing down to appreciate the small moments in life and taking as much time and space as possible to take care of yourself and those around you.
- While some are in a more privileged position where these ideals are more attainable, anyone can try the lifestyle—even if it's just five minutes of journaling before bed or a few stretches in the morning.
- Other critiques of soft life include those who see it as an attack on career-focused lifestyles and individuals. However, a soft life doesn’t have to mean giving up ambitions or passions.
- Instead, it encourages people to examine what they truly want and what kind of work they want to be doing rather than what others believe they should be doing.

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