Soft Living and Slow Living are Similar, but Not the Exact Same.
These are the differences.
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the phrase “soft living.” Cozy blankets, slow mornings, matcha lattes, warm light, journaling, baths, and “romanticizing your life” clips are everywhere right now.
As someone who has written, taught, and podcasted about Slow Living for nearly two decades, I absolutely LOVE seeing the cultural pendulum swing toward gentleness and intentionality. People are tired. They’re burned out. They’re craving simplicity.
And I do not blame them!! 🙂
And while soft living and slow living share the same heart, they’re not quite the same thing.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Soft Living?
Soft Living is a younger, trendier phrase that has risen quickly on TikTok. It focuses on:
Choosing ease over hustle
Embracing comfort and gentleness
Cozy, romanticized routines
Calming your nervous system
Restorative self-care
Soft textures, warm lighting, and peaceful environments
Think of it as the vibe of living intentionally. Soft Living is visually appealing, soothing, and very aesthetic-driven. It’s rooted in the desire to live a life that doesn’t feel harsh, rushed, or overwhelming.
People who search for soft living tips are often looking for quick ideas to feel calmer right now—morning routines, evening rituals, spa-like practices, and home organization hacks that create more peace.
Soft Living = the cozy doorway into a gentler life.
What Is Slow Living?
Slow Living is deeper and more holistic. It’s not just about creating a vibe. It’s about creating a life that genuinely supports your well-being long-term.
Slow Living focuses on:
Life on purpose
Intentional time management
Healthy boundaries
Aligning your actions with your values
Reducing mental load + decision fatigue
Letting go of hustle culture
Creating systems that bring peace to your day
It’s less about the aesthetic and more about the infrastructure of a calm and peaceful life.
In my book, Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World, I teach the 5 Steps to Slow Livingand the Peace Pyramid, which help you simplify your:
— time
— health
— finances
— home
— relationships
Slow Living supports your whole life — not just your morning routine.
Slow Living = the philosophy + tools that make softness sustainable.
Soft Living vs. Slow Living: The Key Differences
1. Soft Living is aesthetic; Slow Living is intentional.
Soft Living gives you the cozy visuals and calming environment.
Slow Living gives you the why and the how.
2. Soft Living is moment-based; Slow Living is lifestyle-based.
Soft Living focuses on rituals and routines.
Slow Living transforms how you approach your days, weeks, and seasons.
3. Soft Living prioritizes comfort; Slow Living prioritizes alignment.
Comfort is wonderful—and needed!—but alignment creates lasting peace.
4. Soft Living helps you feel calm; Slow Living helps you stay calm.
Soft Living soothes your nervous system.
Slow Living helps you structure a life that prevents overwhelm in the first place.
Why the Soft Living Trend Matters (And Why It’s Not Going Anywhere)
People are exhausted. They’re overstimulated. They’re done with the grind.
The Soft Living trend is powerful because it reflects a cultural shift:
away from perfection
away from productivity for productivity’s sake
away from burnout
and toward a gentler, more humane way of existing
Soft Living resonates because people are realizing that peace is a necessity, not a luxury.
But Soft Living alone isn’t enough. You can’t bubble-bath your way out of burnout or overwhelm.
That’s why Slow Living is the deeper solution. It gives the structure needed for long-term peace.
How to Combine Soft Living and Slow Living
You don’t have to pick one or the other. In fact, they work beautifully together:
Use Soft Living rituals (cozy mornings, gentle nights, calming routines)
Use Slow Living systems (time blocking, boundaries, decluttering, values-based planning)
Together, they help you create a life that looks calm and actually feels calm.
If You Want to Live a Soft and Slow Life:
If you’re craving a calmer, gentler, and more peaceful life, I have tons of resources to support you:
— New episodes each week on the Slow Living Podcast
— My book, Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World
— The Sunday Slow Down email for weekly encouragement and practical tips (sign up for the newsletter down below!)
- — Daily Journal page — this is a tried and true way to create calmness in your morning routine and set yourself up for lifelong success
TL:DR version!
Here’s a quick summary of the difference between soft living and slow living:
In a nutshell: Soft Living is reacting to a harsh and hustle-driven world by withdrawing and Slow Living is preventing you from succumbing to it by teaching you the tools to live life on your own terms.
You don’t have to do what everybody else is doing.
You can absolutely create the life of your dreams in a Slow, Steady, and Sustainable way.
If you have any questions about any of this, email me.
I’m a real person, and I am always happy to help.
steph@stephanieodea.com
As always, please consider yourself loved and hugged.
I think you are wonderful.
xoxo Steph
