Sometimes I feel like the world wants me to be doing something bigger, faster, louder.
But lately, I just want to water my flowers.
I want to paint something without knowing what it’s going to be.
I want to sit with my cats and do nothing at all—and call it enough.
If you’ve ever felt that too, even for a moment, then you’ll probably get this.
Right now, my life is a strange mix of soft and chaotic—quiet mornings, paint-streaked hands, cats trying to sit directly on my laptop. And somehow, it’s working for me.
My cats? They’re family.
Frodo has decided he’s an outdoor cat this summer, trailing me while I water the garden like a little shadow. Rizzo and Raven act like the porch is their kingdom, and Sam gives outdoor life one cautious sniff before running back inside. They each have their own vibe, and all of them rotate who gets to curl up next to me when I’m reading, painting, or just trying to be still.
The plants? A love story.
They used to all live inside, but once summer hit, I moved them to the porch—and they’re thriving. There’s something about watching new growth that gives me hope, even on days I don’t feel like I’m growing at all. My herbs (lavender, dill, chamomile, sage, parsley) have been the most fun—I even started making lavender lemon water, and wow… it’s become a tiny ritual of peace.
I’m growing vegetables too: spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, even cantaloupe. Not everything’s fruiting yet, but every new sprout feels like a quiet victory. It’s slow magic. The kind that teaches you patience without making you feel like you’re failing.
And painting? That’s where I go when words don’t work.
I don’t plan what I’ll paint. Sometimes it’s flowers. Sometimes outer space. Sometimes it’s just abstract shapes that feel right in the moment. I’ll repaint a canvas over and over until it feels finished—and then I hang it up. Every one of my completed paintings is on a wall somewhere in the house, which feels kind of special.
I usually paint in quiet. No music, no podcast or audiobook. Just the sound of whatever’s happening outside, or in the house. Sometimes my boyfriend’s working in his office with a baseball game on, or the news playing way too dramatically (David Muir, calm down). I’ll take breaks to sit on the floor in there with him and watch Wheel of Fortune (his show—he always wins) and Jeopardy (my show—he never stands a chance). Those small breaks make everything feel more human, more shared.
Sometimes I use leftover paint from my canvas to create blackout poetry, circling random words on book pages and painting over the rest. I’ve made over 100 of those poems. It’s not structured or fancy. It’s just… what I do. And I love it.
If you’re someone who’s tired, overstimulated, or just looking for something that feels soft and grounding… I get it.
You don’t need to grow a garden or adopt four cats. But maybe you need one plant. One paintbrush. One poem. One quiet night that doesn’t have to lead anywhere.
I’m learning that love can look like this:
Four cats.
Too many pots of flowers.
Paint under my fingernails.
And a day that doesn’t demand more of me than I can give.
Whatever your version of this is—whatever makes you feel alive and okay—I hope you let it take up space. Even if it’s small. Especially if it’s small.
And if you’ve got a “soft life” ritual of your own—something that helps you slow down, feel grounded, or just makes your day a little gentler—I’d love to hear it. Share it in the comments if you feel like it. 🌸
