soft habits

unsolicited list of things to savour

Photo by Cole Ciarlello on Unsplash

We're all guilty of treating ourselves too harshly, too often. Sometimes I have to remind myself—through little actions—that I deserve kindness too.

So, in these colder, darker months, I thought I’d share a list of gentle habits that don’t take much effort. They won’t change your life, but they might make you feel a little better. And honestly, that might matter more.

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The Soft Sock Shift
Slip into the softest, fluffiest socks you own. It’s a small comfort that makes everything feel a little cosier, a little calmer. The outside world can wait—right now, it’s just you and a bit of warmth.

The One-Hour Rule
Chores can feel overwhelming, but the One-Hour Rule keeps them manageable. Set aside one hour daily to tackle tasks like tidying, laundry, or dishes — no distractions, just focused effort. When the hour’s up, you’re done. Anything left can wait, making it easier to keep your home organized without spending all day cleaning.

Treat Yourself like a Houseplant
Sunlight, water, and fresh air. When you’re feeling off, ask yourself: Have I sipped water? Have I been outside, even for a moment? Did I open a window? Sometimes, the simplest things bring the most relief.

Thirty minutes offline
Being a digital creature is ingrained in us now. Sometimes that's good, sometimes that’s bad. For thirty minutes or more, be offline. You can read, run yourself a bath, take a nap, paint, write or draw. Just let yourself step away from the screens.

Light the Candle
Stop saving the good candles for a special occasion—this is the occasion. Light them on an ordinary Tuesday, when you’re eating takeout, when the rain taps against the window when nothing at all is happening. Let the soft glow and familiar scent turn an unremarkable moment into something gentle, something worth lingering in.

Wear the Good Stuff
I have a few expensive perfumes that I rotate through every day. I don’t care if I’m in my pyjamas. I use it because it makes me feel good. And that’s all that matters Don’t save the perfume or the fancy body scrub or body butter. Use it now.

People Watching with a Pastry
This sounds weird, but I find it really soothing. Sometimes, I’ll go for a walk with the sole purpose of treating myself to a pastry. I’m usually conservative with my spending, but a coffee and a pastry (and books) are the exception. I started this on days when I felt distant from myself, like I was moving through the world but not quite in it. Somehow, it wrapped the edges of my day in something softer, turning the ordinary into something almost sacred. Try it—you might feel it too.

The Fake Vacation
Change one tiny thing about your routine to make it feel special — explore the city like you’re a tourist, drink your morning coffee on the balcony with the windows open, eat dinner by candlelight, swap your usual mug for one you forgot you owned. Trick your brain into thinking today is a little different, a little better. I’ve found the most unexpected joy this way.

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Soft habits don’t ask anything of you. They don’t push you to be better, stronger, or more disciplined. Life isn’t meant to be lived at full speed all the time. These habits meet you where you are—in the exhaustion, the chaos, the in-between—and make things feel just a little lighter.

For me, it’s the smallest things—the warm drink, the familiar scent, the five minutes of fresh air—that keep me going. I collect those tiny moments like little pockets of joy. Maybe self-care isn’t about trying harder. Maybe it’s about softness. Maybe it’s about letting things be just a little easier.