Soft Life Chronicles: I Broke Up With Stress And I’m Never Looking Back.

Hi, my name is Chisom, and I recently did something that changed my life I broke up with stress. Yes, we had a long, toxic relationship. Yes, I kept going back. But not anymore. This year, I’m choosing peace, ease, and positive vibes only.

The moment I realized I was not born to suffer was the day NEPA took light while I was working three jobs from my tiny Lagos apartment, with one eye on my dying laptop, the other on my bank app showing I had a balance of ₦5,000 naira.

I paused.

I sighed.

I whispered, “Is this really my portion?”

The answer came to me as if God himself were whispering in my ears.

“No, babe. You were made for a soft life.”

I decided to cut off anything bringing stress into my life. I cut it the way you cut off a toxic ex. First to go? That "let’s suffer together" friend that calls me every 3 market days to rant about a man that doesn’t know her birthday. I have enough on my plate as it is and I don't burden you every minute of the day. Next? The client that pays me peanuts and still sends 5am “Hi dear, quick edits” messages. Soft life is not compatible with anxiety abeg.

I deleted the X app from my phone. The most toxic social media platform to exist.  I was tired of having too many people's opinions in my face all the time. Be gone please. Then I unfollowed every IG page that made me feel like I was failing at life because I don’t wake up at 5am to drink lemon or water and manifest into the heavens. I chose peace.

My New Personality Is Joy. Now my days are built differently. I drink my warm tea to calm my nerves. I listen to SZA like it’s scripture. I romanticize my life. I light a scented candle. I dance in the mirror because nobody’s watching (except maybe God and my ceiling fan). Soft life isn't about money. It’s about refusing to let stress sit at your table, even if all you’re eating is Indomie and vibes.

Soft Life Is Also Saying No. No, I will not go on that date with the man that says “You girls don’t like good guys” during debates. No, I won’t attend any more weddings where I have to contribute for aso ebi and still fight for jollof. No, I’m not replying to emails past 6pm. My boundaries now have boundaries. I’m not lazy, I’m healing. I’m not antisocial, I’m selective. I might be broke but I’m budgeting in alignment with my inner peace.

Some days, I slip. I reply a toxic ex. I say yes to one extra task. I try to prove myself to people who don’t matter. But I catch myself. I breathe.And I whisper: "Babe, we’re not doing that anymore." Growth is ghetto but soft life is the goal.

Life can be loud, chaotic, and overwhelming. But choosing soft life is my personal rebellion. A declaration that I deserve joy even in a country that sometimes feels joyless. So if you’re like me navigating adulthood and breaking generational trauma while craving peace, this is your sign. Choose soft life. Choose you. And when you forget, come back to this post and remember, You were not born to suffer. You were born to glow in peace.