Hustle culture is out – Manila Standard

Two ways to shift to the soft life mindset

Soft Life, an online movement that originated from the Nigerian influencer community, values inner peace and personal well-being over endless productivity and societal pressures.

American psychologist Mark Travers, PhD, noted this fundamental shift is more than just a fleeting social media phenomenon.

“Many individuals, especially millennials, grew up immersed in the ethos of hustle culture and the rise and grind mentality – equating success with relentless hard work,” he stated. 

“The trend of maximizing output and making sacrifices to ‘earn more money to live more’ is falling out of fashion,” he added. “Living their best life is not solely defined by immense material success or societal standards.”

The expert, equipped with degrees from Cornell University in New York and the University of Colorado Boulder, shared that more and more individuals have now emphasized fulfillment, contentment, and happiness, as they have learned to understand hustle culture, which measures success by wealth, status, and professional achievement, may result in burnout. 

“For those who often find themselves catching up with their clocks or too tired to do anything after work, it might be time to step into their soft life era,” he recommended. 

Echoing Travers, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) shared several key insights from the specialist, as published on Psychology Today, the world’s largest mental health and behavior science platform.

Revitalize health with self-care.

This approach counters the constant pressure to perform. Prioritize self-care routines that bring joy. Attend to personal hygiene. Exercise. Eat nutritious foods. Get adequate sleep to promote overall health. 

Understand your emotions and mental health needs. Be kind to yourself, especially during difficult times. Treat yourself with care and empathy.

Engage in activities that enhance the sense of purpose and overall life satisfaction. Build a support system. Balance your day to avoid being overwhelmed. Practice deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. Adopt calming hobbies.

Live intentionally and create boundaries. 

Be intentional with your time and energy. Make conscious decisions that bring peace. Recognize your limits. Commit to what you can manage. Do not succumb to external expectations.

Set boundaries between work and personal life. Focus on important tasks. Learn to say no when your plate is full. Manage meeting schedules and keep them concise. Communicate your boundaries with the team. Turn off work-related notifications after hours.