The Power of Showing Up Soft… Even When Life Gets Loud
Dear Readers,
There’s something I’ve been sitting with lately — something that’s reshaped how I lead, rest, and move through the world: the idea of soft resilience.
Being soft doesn’t mean being weak. And being strong doesn’t mean being hard. You can carry grace and grit in the same body. You can lead with tenderness and still hold your ground. That’s the balance I’m learning to walk, and if I’m honest — it’s taken years to get here.
I’ve had to show up in rooms that expected me to shrink, and I’ve had to stay grounded in spaces that tried to steal my voice. Life doesn’t make it easy. Between work, expectations, disappointments, and the daily hustle of trying to build something real — staying soft can feel like a fight.
But I’m choosing softness anyway. And I’m not saying it’s always easy — it ain’t. Yes, I said ain’t.
Showing up soft is still strong.
It’s easy to mistake gentleness for weakness, but let me tell you — it takes strength to remain tender in a hard world. Choosing grace, choosing calm, and choosing kindness when everything around you is telling you to snap back or shut down… That’s strength. That’s control. That’s confidence.
Taking care of yourself is not a luxury. It’s a requirement.
When I slow down and tend to my skin, sit in silence, or simply let myself feel something all the way through, that’s not indulgence — that’s survival. Whether it’s a quick walk, a favorite scent, or a moment to breathe, softness starts in how you treat yourself.
Protecting your peace is a full-time job.
I’ve learned to stop apologizing for my boundaries. I’ve learned to stop asking people to respect my time — and instead, just enforce it. You don’t owe anyone access to your energy. And if that sounds harsh? It’s probably the softness in me refusing to shrink anymore.
You can live loud and still lead with softness.
You don’t have to choose between strong and soft. You don’t have to hide your shine to be taken seriously. I wear my pink, my perfume, my power, and my purpose — all at once. Because softness doesn’t mean small. It means intentional.
Tools for Living Soft & Strong
If this resonates with you, and you’re wondering how to start showing up soft, here are a few things I recommend — things that have helped me when life gets loud:
1. Create a reset ritual.
This doesn’t have to be deep. Five minutes. A favorite scent. A journal. A candle. Just something that tells your mind and body: “We’re safe now.”
2. Add buffer space to your calendar.
Between meetings. After events. Before bed. You don’t have to earn stillness — you need it.
3. Stop shrinking your language.
“I’m sorry, I just…”
“I don’t mean to bother you…”
“Maybe I could possibly…”
Cut all that. Try: “Thanks for your patience.” “Here’s what I need.” “I’ll follow up next week.” You can be soft and direct.
Want more softness in your life? Here’s what’s helped me:
Insight Timer — for guided meditations and breathing.
The Boundaries Workbook by Nedra Glover Tawwab — a must-read if you’re tired of burnout cycles.
Soft Life Playlist (coming soon from me!) — a mix of calming, grounding, and affirming tracks for slow mornings or wind-down evenings.
A good sheet mask and a locked phone screen. (You already know.)
You are allowed to protect your peace. You are allowed to speak gently and still be heard.
You are allowed to live a life that feels safe, beautiful, and fully your own.
Softness is not a flaw. It’s not something to outgrow.
It’s a strength that doesn’t have to scream to be real.
With softness and strength,
Just Catrina
