Soft Life or Side Hustle? How to Find Balance in Your 30s
- Chey With A Blog
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Remember when we thought life would magically slow down in our 30s? Yeah, turns out we were wrong. Instead, we’re juggling careers, friendships, self-care, and the never-ending question: Do I grind harder, or do I embrace the “soft life” and romanticize my mornings with matcha and journaling?
The answer? Balance. You can chase the bag without running yourself into the ground. You can embrace slow mornings while still building your dream career. But finding that sweet spot? That’s where things get tricky.
The good news? You don’t have to choose between hustle culture and the soft life. You can have both—if you learn how to create a routine that allows you to work towards your goals without burning out.
Let’s talk about how to balance ambition with rest, hustle with healing, and the boss life with the soft life.
First, What Even Is the Soft Life?
The soft life is all about ease, peace, and prioritizing joy—basically, saying goodbye to burnout and hello to living on your own terms. It means making decisions that align with your happiness and well-being instead of constantly chasing external validation or society’s expectations.
Choosing a soft life doesn’t mean being lazy—it means being intentional about what you allow in your life. It’s about understanding that:
✨ You don’t have to work yourself to exhaustion to be successful.
✨ Rest is productive, and self-care is non-negotiable.
✨ Setting boundaries in work and relationships is an act of self-love.
✨ You deserve to enjoy your life—not just work to survive.
Sounds dreamy, right? But let’s be real—bills still exist, and those vacations aren’t going to pay for themselves.
But What About Hustle Culture?
On the flip side, hustle culture tells us that:
💼 You should always be working on something
.📈 Success means being booked, busy, and exhausted.
🔥 “No days off” is a badge of honor.
🙃 If you aren’t grinding, you’re falling behind.
And sure, there’s nothing wrong with ambition—having goals, working hard, and securing financial stability are important. But at what cost?
Hustle culture can be toxic if it convinces you that rest = failure. If you’re constantly working without breaks, you’re not being more productive—you’re just exhausting yourself. And what’s the point of making more money if you never have time to enjoy it?
So, how do we find the balance? Let’s break it down.
How to Balance Hustle and the Soft Life in Your 30s
1. Redefine What “Success” Looks Like for You
Success is deeply personal. Society often paints a picture of success as a six-figure salary, climbing the corporate ladder, owning a house, or working on multiple side hustles. But true success is what makes YOU feel fulfilled.
Maybe success for you looks like:
✅ Having time to actually enjoy your weekends without checking work emails.
✅ Traveling without stressing about PTO or finances.
✅ Running a business that gives you flexibility, not burnout.
✅ Prioritizing your health, relationships, and overall happiness.
Take a moment to reflect—if money weren’t an issue, what would your dream life look like? The answer to that question will tell you what success actually means to you.
2. Work Smarter, Not Harder
One of the biggest myths hustle culture promotes is that the harder you work, the more successful you’ll be. But let’s be real—working long hours with no strategy doesn’t guarantee success. In fact, it often leads to burnout before you even see results.
Instead of grinding non-stop, try:
🚀 Multiple income streams – If you’re trading time for money, you’ll always be working. Look into passive income options like digital products, freelancing, or investing.
📅 Time blocking – Organize your day by grouping similar tasks together and setting dedicated “focus times” so you’re not always in work mode.
🙅♀️ Saying no – Not every opportunity is a good one. If something isn’t aligned with your goals or energy, let it go.
The goal? Work efficiently so you have more freedom—not just more work.
3. Set Boundaries Like a Boss
The soft life isn’t about quitting your job and living in a beach hut (unless that’s your dream—then, go for it!). It’s about having healthy boundaries with your work, relationships, and time.
📵 Stop checking work emails at 10 PM. You’re not being paid for that.
🚫 Say no to unpaid overtime and unrealistic deadlines. You’re not a robot.
🛑 Let go of toxic “grind mindset” guilt. Resting isn’t being lazy; it’s necessary.
If something drains you more than it fulfills you, reconsider it. Your time is valuable—protect it.
4. Romanticize Rest (Yes, It’s Productive!)
We’ve been conditioned to believe that rest = laziness. But in reality, rest is what keeps you functioning at your best. When you take time to recharge, you:
✨ Think more clearly and make better decisions.
✨ Work more efficiently because your brain isn’t exhausted.
✨ Avoid burnout breakdowns before they happen.
Instead of feeling guilty for resting, romanticize it. Make your downtime feel luxurious, even if it’s simple:
Slow mornings with your favorite coffee or tea ☕
Reading in bed without distractions 📖
Taking an intentional break to reset your mind 🧘♀️
Booking a solo date night just because ✨
Resting isn’t just good for your health—it’s a power move.
5. Make Time for Things That Actually Make You Happy
Life isn’t just about working and paying bills. It’s also about:
🌍 Traveling—even if it’s just a weekend getaway to recharge.
💃 Hobbies—finding things you love that have nothing to do with work.
👯♀️ Friendships & relationships—spending time with people who bring joy into your life.
If your schedule is all work and no play, you’re not living—you’re just surviving.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve Both the Soft Life & Success
So now you have an idea on How to Balance Hustle and the Soft Life in Your 30s
You don’t have to pick between being successful and having peace. You can build your dream career and still have time for slow mornings, brunch with friends, and rest days.
The key? Balance. Work hard when you need to, but rest just as intentionally. Life isn’t a race—it’s meant to be lived.
👉 Which one do you lean toward—soft life or hustle culture? Or are you all about balance? Drop a comment and let’s talk!
With Love
Chey✨
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