We’re Retiring from Struggle Love & Hustle Culture—Effective Immediately!
Listen, I don’t know who needs to hear this (spoiler: it’s probably all of us), but struggling is not a personality trait. It’s not a love language. It’s not a sign from the universe that you’re doing life correctly. It’s just...struggle. And frankly? I’m tired. We’re all tired. Millennials and Gen Z have clocked into the workforce and the dating pool like we were promised a bright future, only to find out that the only thing guaranteed was back pain and student loan debt.
So today, I’m putting in my formal resignation from struggle love and hustle culture. If you need me, I’ll be living in my flow—gracefully, intentionally, and without the unnecessary stress of proving my worth through suffering.
Hustle? I Don’t Know Her.
There was a time when “rise and grind” culture was cute. Remember when we all romanticized the girlboss era? Yeah, that was before we realized that working 80 hours a week just meant getting taxed harder while corporate execs bought yachts.
I want to work, sure, but I also want to breathe. I want a job that doesn’t steal my joy, my time, and my will to live. And before anyone says, “Well, you can’t always have your dream job,” I know. That’s why I believe in balance. Maybe your job isn’t your life’s passion—but does it let you clock out at a reasonable hour? Does it fund your ability to enjoy your real life? Does it allow you to sleep at night without stress-texting your manager? If yes, congratulations! You’re already on the soft life track. If not? Baby, it’s time to reassess.
Pro-tip: Make a pro-con list about your work situation. Do you hate the job, or just the commute? Is it the workload or the lack of pay? Figure out what’s non-negotiable so you can make moves that actually serve you.
Love Shouldn’t Feel Like a Full-Time Job with No Benefits
Somewhere along the way, we were sold the idea that love has to be hard to be real. That relationships should test our patience, our limits, and occasionally our emotional stability. Let me just say this loud and clear: I am not signing up for struggle love. Not now. Not ever.
Love should be nurturing. It should make you feel seen, safe, and supported—not like you’re emotionally auditioning for a role you’ll never book. I don’t want to be “ride or die”—where are we riding to? Why must I risk death? I am a delicate flower. I require peace, affection, and intentional effort.
If I wanted stress, I’d go back to working retail on Black Friday.
Living Soft Doesn’t Mean You’re Lazy
Now, I already hear the “back in my day” crowd warming up their vocal cords to tell me that life isn’t all about ease. And listen, I get it. Life comes with challenges. Growth requires discomfort. But you know what it doesn’t require? Constant suffering just for the sake of saying you toughed it out.
I want a life that excites me. A life where I wake up wanting to experience the day ahead. I want to be fulfilled with love, purpose, and a reason to look forward to next week, next year, and beyond. Struggle should be the exception, not the lifestyle. If I have to go through something hard, it better be temporary, and it better be for a reason.
So What Does the Soft Life Actually Look Like?
It looks like ease. It looks like joy. It looks like choosing rest without guilt, love without conditions, and work that works for you—not the other way around.
It looks like waking up and stretching before checking emails. It looks like saying no to unpaid emotional labor. It looks like getting paid your worth and then some. It looks like a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve existential dread.
A soft life isn’t about luxury (although, if luxury calls, I will be answering). It’s about intention. It’s about protecting your peace. It’s about living in a way that feels good—not just one that looks good on paper.
So, consider this your permission slip to retire from unnecessary struggle. Effective immediately.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a face mask to put on and a nap to take.
Are you ready to retire from the struggle and step into your soft girl era? Let me know in the comments—bonus points if you’re doing it with a fluffy robe and a cup of tea. ☕✨
Love,
Jess Pye
