Why are we suddenly craving a "soft life"? episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 2, 2026 · 42 MIN

Why are we suddenly craving a "soft life"?

from The Weird Years · host Lydia Vornweg

Why are we suddenly craving the "soft life"?You might know this term from polished reels of flawless women skipping out of pilates at 11am and into a matcha café, but the soft life philosophy has a much richer origin. It started with women in Nigeria reclaiming their time and energy, pushing back against hustle culture and the expectation to always grind, give, and self-sacrifice.Now more than ever, as the pressures of our thirties start to build, more of us are craving a dose of slow living. And with the dumpster fire of an economy we're trying to navigate, it's not any surprise. In this episode we get into:🧘‍♀️ What the soft life philosophy actually means (and it's forgotten roots)🧘‍♀️ How the broken promise of success has left millennials burnt out and wanting to clock out🧘‍♀️ The quiet quitting approach 🧘‍♀️ The watch out: when soft life tips into financial dependence🧘‍♀️ How to bring more slow living and nervous system regulation into the life you already haveIf you're one "I hope this finds you well" email away from lying motionless in a forest for a few days, then stick around.Follow the show on your favourite platforms:Instagram - @theweirdyearspodcastTiktok - @theweirdyears

Why are we suddenly craving the "soft life"?You might know this term from polished reels of flawless women skipping out of pilates at 11am and into a matcha café, but the soft life philosophy has a much richer origin. It started with women in Nigeria reclaiming their time and energy, pushing back against hustle culture and the expectation to always grind, give, and self-sacrifice.Now more than ever, as the pressures of our thirties start to build, more of us are craving a dose of slow living. And with the dumpster fire of an economy we're trying to navigate, it's not any surprise. In this episode we get into:🧘‍♀️ What the soft life philosophy actually means (and it's forgotten roots)🧘‍♀️ How the broken promise of success has left millennials burnt out and wanting to clock out🧘‍♀️ The quiet quitting approach 🧘‍♀️ The watch out: when soft life tips into financial dependence🧘‍♀️ How to bring more slow living and nervous system regulation into the life you already haveIf you're one "I hope this finds you well" email away from lying motionless in a forest for a few days, then stick around.Follow the show on your favourite platforms:Instagram - @theweirdyearspodcastTiktok - @theweirdyears

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Why are we suddenly craving a "soft life"?

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This episode was published on June 2, 2026.

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Why are we suddenly craving the "soft life"?You might know this term from polished reels of flawless women skipping out of pilates at 11am and into a matcha café, but the soft life philosophy has a much richer origin. It started with women in...

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