Is this a ‘Soft life’

[Wellthatwasabrupt]

And would you want it?

Has Dh, one young Dc and dogs, lives overseas by the beach and countryside, nice house with pool and sea views.
Works 6 hours per week from home. Does all drop offs and pick ups, food shop, dinners, majority to do with Dc and sorting bills. Has a cleaner.
Dh works Mon-Fri -finishes 4.30, no one works weekends.
Days are free based around Dc school drops, coffee with friends, Pilates, yoga, studying or reading if you like, watching Netflix all day if you like, shopping, beach, pool, garden

Would you call this a soft life? Would you like it, be honest?

One working 6 hours a week is not funding much and is reliant on the one working a lot more than that. Always make your own money so you can manage on your own.

I've never heard the expression "soft life".

Why are you asking people's opinions on this?

There's parts of it I would love, but I wouldn't want to look back on more than you describe when I'm in old age. It sounds like the perfect way to spend a month or two off each year, but I know I would itch for more if it extended beyond that.

That sounds like my dream life. I don't love working and am quite introverted. 6 hours work a week, a cleaner, a pool, nice house and 1 child. If I got bored I'd find a hobby or go out.

Ok. What's the plan when the further degree and all the rest of it is done? Is it going to be used for anything?
Same as the language, assuming its the one of the country they are living in. Otherwise it won't get much use

What is the point of this thread?

I have similar lifestyle minus the coast and frankly found it really boring! One day a week of this is enough for me.
i found it boring but also just not stimulating enough - felt like I was just drifting and wasting my time not really ‘doing’ or achieving much. I would say it’s a soft life / easy life but only really enjoyable long term if you aren’t very driven. It really made me feel quite stressed and lacking my own purpose / questioning my self esteem.

Who is "they"? You? Your wife? Your sister? Friend? Whose life are you describing?

Why are you asking people for their opinions but in your responses disagreeing with them? People are individuals, if you find that life fulfilling that's great, it doesn't mean everyone has to agree with you though.

Sounds perfect to me, would rather this than 42 hours a week working a bullshit job that doesn’t really have any impact, with 4 weeks a year ‘annual leave’ to cram in hair appointments, other appointments, funerals or whatever else needs doing and weekends to do housework, laundry and the food shop.

So get a job that isn’t a ‘bullshit job’.

Sounds like filler. Like retirees doing additional Open University degrees in Latin or Phds on obscure minor artists to fill the time... or doing Duolingo at the gym because working out is so mind numbingly dull.

Necessity relieves us from the embarrassment of choice.

Yes, and I would like it. No. I would love it.

I have a "soft life". I prioritise comfort, and my free time, over chasing money. I do a job that I love, for a small number of hours, and make enough money to fund my "soft" lifestyle.

I'm not jet setting, or driving expensive cars, but I'm comfortable with nice food, new books, and everything my (mortgage free) home needs to make it a cosy little haven.

I have a hobby that gets me out two evenings a week and occasional weekends, and I regularly meet up with my family - or DP's - for meals out for birthdays etc.

DP and I love nothing more than going for a wander somewhere nice, grabbing lunch or a drink somewhere along the way. Not anywhere expensive, just little country pubs.

My life is not non-stop, but it is simple, cosy, and nice.

I like the sound of it and the thought of living near the sea. I’ve only experienced sea-side holidays and living there all year round would be lovely. I’d probably wonder why someone is working 6 hours though seems sort of pointless? It’s such low number of hours I can’t imagine it has a pay off.

I’d give it a whirl though and I’d even drop some if the activities and take up a more solitary hobby (I don’t like too much socialising or having to go to an exercise class).

Reality is, DH and I work full time with DC and we have no cleaner. I tend to do all the drop offs, pick ups, groceries, household errands and bill organising like millions of other busy mums.

I’d love a slower pace. I don’t know the last time I slowly sipped a coffee and enjoyed a lovely walk or scenery.

Sounds very similar to my mum's life. And we have countless knitted/Sewn/painted items in all of our homes to remember her by. We had a huge vegetable garden and a large farm house and garden that were well kept too. Loads of dogs and cats and chickens. I did have 3 siblings too, but she didnt do clubs/much socialising out of the Home nor a cleaner. She was very happy. I think i lack the focus to stay on my own projects for the length of time that she did and I need work/volunteering to keep me going, but she was more self motivated than me.

Not sure it's soft, per se. Certainly sounds boring though.
Where is the community, the giving back, the connection outside the immediate family?

Because it’s boring to me to go for coffees and chitter chatter. It’s not my idea of an enjoyable way to spend time.
my mum pretty much lives this exact life btw and I never wanted it. It was her dream and she lives it and loves it. It just makes no sense to me at all. Like how does it benefit the world? Why waste your one life sitting around drinking coffee???

It would be my dream life.

😂But all the other things benefit the world too, this is a small and enjoyable part of the day and connecting with others, not being in an office trapped.

I could happily live that life.

Is this a fictional person? A friend? Is it you? What do you hope to gain from this discussion?

I think you're confusing productivity with purpose. Purpose can come from work, but it can also come from raising children, caring for others, volunteering, creating, learning etc.
We all have different personalities, energy levels and circumstances. The important thing is finding the level of activity and purpose that works for you, rather than assuming there's one formula for everyone. I don't think it's helpful to suggest that people who don't fit a particular idea of "productivity" will inevitably become depressed, addicted or unfulfilled.
We see high rates of depression, addiction and burnout among people with demanding, high-status careers.

You think paid work is beneath you, we get it. Enjoy your luxury life, but yes it is soft and it would bore me rigid. I have already decided that my retirement will involve owning a business that I have a life times experience in, because the alternative will almost certainly end in me drinking too much.

What I dont get is why you posted this in the third person when its clear that its you. People who have no emotional connection to this life dont get as defensive as you have been.

do you genuinely get bored without working?

Sounds ideal.

why don't you have an interesting life outside of work tho? why don't you have fulfilling hobbies and friendships and adventures? being bored of your didn't work just makes you sound boring to be around