The Tranquil Vintessa

Soft living has been having a bit of a resurgence lately. I think we are all tired of the drama and turmoil of everyday life and simply want a soft place to land. I know that was my case.

Before I started my journey, it felt like every day was hard. I would come home exhausted and often angry. Constantly stressed by bills, work, and my social life, it felt as if I couldn’t catch a break. I began wondering if this was all life was, just one challenge after another.

Then I had somewhat of an epiphany: I couldn’t control the world, but I could control how I interacted with it. I wasn’t going to be defined by what others thought I should be or do. I was going to do what felt right to me.

So I began a journey of self-love and discovery. Through many transformations, I created a softer place to land and a softer life overall. It has been a beautiful journey, and through it all, I’ve found simple ways to incorporate slow and soft living practices into my life.

Have a gentle start

One thing that can ruin a beautiful day is a rushed morning. Waking up panicked and rushing around is often the perfect recipe for stress. So I give myself time.

I don’t rely on a strict nighttime checklist because that doesn’t feel realistic for me. Instead, I make sure I wake up at least two hours before I greet the world. Then I flow through my routine. I make my coffee at home while listening to the birds outside my window. No phone, no news, just me, maybe some soft jazz in the background, and my coffee.

I greet the world with peace and gentle hands, and in turn, the universe meets me the same way.

Eat well

It sounds simple, but we (myself included) often complicate it.

One of my main priorities was to feel good in my body. At the time, I had a lot of joint pain and was constantly inflamed, bloated, puffy, and achy, which wasn’t how I wanted to feel in my body.

So I taught myself to cook and began listening to my body. Tried new foods and paid attention to how I felt mentally and physically after each meal.

I learned that I have more energy when I eat leafy greens. I bloat when I eat greasy foods, and overly processed pasta slows my digestion, makes me feel heavy, and drains my energy. Through this gentle process of elimination, I learned how to honor my body’s needs.

This, to me, was a form of soft self-love.

Indulge when possible

My biggest lesson has been this: there is no perfect way of living….so live.

Life is meant to be experienced, not controlled by strict rules. This doesn’t mean I go and blow my money, but it does mean I dance when I feel like dancing, I drink the wine, and I laugh loudly. I feel life, not just live it.

It is a beautiful thing to be alive, so indulge in the sweet parts of it when you can.

Be one with nature

Spend time with trees. Bathe in the sun, no matter how much or little you get. Nature heals in ways I can’t even fully explain.

I spent four years away from it, trying to live a life that wasn’t aligned with me. When I returned, it felt like greeting an old friend. Instantly, my shoulders relaxed, my breath slowed, and life no longer felt so heavy.

So I spend time with nature whenever I can. Whether it’s my morning walk with my pup, driving with the windows down, or taking a meal outside. As long as I spend some time enjoying nature in her beauty, I am healing.

Soft, slow living isn’t always about silk robes, satin sheets, or spa treatments, though they are lovely. It begins with being soft with yourself, and slow living begins with slowing down.

I hope this helps you on your journey to a slower, softer life. And maybe this post about building a soft sanctuary can be your next gentle stop on a soft, slow, and sensual life.