She lives in Bliss

A subtle sense of power can lie in softness – the kind that doesn’t shout to be seen, but still changes everything.

For a long time, I thought strength had to feel sharp. That being “on top of things” meant staying constantly alert, busy, and productive. But beneath that way of living, something felt missing — not more achievement, but more feeling. I wanted to reconnect with the moments I was rushing past. To live with more gentleness, presence, and grace.

It wasn’t a dramatic shift. It began slowly — with small changes, like walking without a destination in mind, or taking my skincare routine a little less like a chore and more like a ritual. Little choices that helped me feel rooted again. Choices that reminded me that strength doesn’t have to be forceful. Sometimes, it’s found in the way we soften.

What Softness Really Means

Softness is not about fragility or passivity. For me, it’s about choosing a slower, more mindful pace in a world that seemingly glorifies urgency. It’s about being present, even when life tries to pull us into the next thing. How often have we looked forward to a particular occasion, like a birthday meal or holiday, all for us to be planning for the next thing sometimes in that very moment. It’s about staying grounded in what matters, even if that looks different from what others are doing.

To me, softness looks like:

• Speaking gently to myself, especially when I’m struggling.
• Making time for rituals that nourish me, not just sustain me.
• Saying “no” without guilt, and “yes” with full-body clarity.
• Moving through my day with less pressure and more intention.

It’s an energy shift. A subtle rebellion against the idea that being overwhelmed is a badge of honour.

Why Slowing Down Is a Power Move

Slowing down is one of the most transformative things I’ve done for my wellbeing. Not because it magically solves everything, but because it brings me back to myself.

When I slow down, I notice. I notice how my body feels, what my mind needs, and where I’ve been moving on autopilot. I become more present — not just in my routines, but in my relationships, my choices, and my emotions.

Slowing down has softened the way I speak to myself. It’s given me space to reflect, to breathe between moments, to choose rather than react. I no longer feel the same urgency to fill every gap in my day or prove my worth through constant doing. Stillness has shown me that presence is productive in its own way — not in the hustle sense, but in how deeply and fully it allows me to experience my life.

It’s in the slowness that I savour things — the quiet of a morning cup of hot lemon water, the softness of clean sheets, the grounding feeling of a deep breath taken without rush. These small moments, often overlooked, have become the anchors in my days. They remind me that bliss isn’t something to chase — it’s something I can notice, right here, when I’m still enough to feel it.

There’s power in choosing not to rush through life. Power in tuning back in, rather than always reaching outward. Power in walking at your own pace — even when the world tells you to run.

Softness in Action: How I’m Living It Daily

Here are some of the small but meaningful ways I’m choosing softness lately:

1. Slow, gentle mornings

I don’t dive straight into emails or to-do lists anymore. Instead, I start with warm lemon water, a few deep breaths, and quiet time before the day unfolds. I enjoy taking a little more time getting ready in the mornings, rather than rushing straight into things. It creates a sense of calm that carries me forward.

2. Walking for presence, not performance

I love using Strava to track my walks — but I’m not chasing numbers. My walks are a space to reconnect with nature, process my thoughts, and simply be. Sometimes that means 40 minutes. Sometimes it’s just 10. Either way, it’s enough.

3. Romanticising my skincare ritual

What used to be a rush through (or sometimes skipped) steps has become something sacred. I take my time, slow my breathing, and let each product remind me: this is care. This is softness in motion.

4. Taking note of the ‘3 Ps’

Each day, I reflect on one positive thought, one positive action, and one positive interaction.

• Positive thoughts encourage me to take note of the way I speak to myself — quietly shifting the inner dialogue to something softer and more supportive.
• Positive actions remind me that even the smallest effort can move me forward, especially on days that feel heavy.
• Positive interactions remind me of the beautiful connections that exist all around me when I stay open and present.

Staying mindful of all three is something I’m always working on.

5. Releasing the pressure to be ‘on’

I’m learning to honour the days when I don’t feel energetic or social. That doesn’t make me less capable — it makes me human. We all need moments to recharge, and that in itself can look different for everyone. For me, sometimes it’s reading, or watching mindless TV. Other times it can be deep cleaning or going for a long walk. It can even be appreciating a quiet moment with a calming view. Giving myself that kind of grace has become one of the most powerful forms of softness and self-care I’ve learned which I never knew I needed.

Why This Matters (Especially for Women)

As women, we’re often praised for being everything to everyone. For keeping it together, holding it all, and smiling through. But at what cost?

Choosing softness is an act of reclaiming your own rhythm. It’s stepping out of the noise and returning to your inner wisdom. It’s recognising that your worth isn’t tied to how much you do — but how deeply you live.

Softness is not less. It’s more:
More space.
More clarity.
More self-trust.
More truth.

Bliss Lives in the Softness

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Bliss doesn’t always arrive in big, loud moments. More often, it sneaks in during the pause. In the slow exhale. In the in-between space where you finally let yourself feel.

Softness creates the space for that bliss to bloom.

It invites you to live in alignment with your values. To treat yourself with tenderness. To connect, reflect, and grow — not from force, but from flow.

An Invitation to You

So here’s my invitation: soften where you can. Start small. Take an extra moment to breathe. Step outside without your phone. Light a candle just because. Swap urgency for presence — even if just for a few minutes.

You don’t need permission to slow down. You don’t need to earn your softness.

You’re allowed to be a woman who leads with grace. Who listens to her body. Who chooses peace over perfection.

And when you do — when you begin to live with softness as your strength — you’ll realise: you’ve been powerful all along.

With love,
Malissa x