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?

Filler? Being able to really notice & appreciate it all and to be focused more on Dc, dogs, friends, family, nature…that need: to be filled up with more work? just because? and that is what would mean more on your death bed?

Yes it's a soft life. It also sounds really dull. Where is the motivation, the ambition, the satisfaction? Sounds great for a holiday, but beyond that I would feel mentally very unsatisfied.

Sounds nice! Is she happy? Surely that's the main thing? I'd like this, maybe with a bit more social time with my friends and family.

People who are obsessed with purpose and productivity should understand that not everyone feels the same way. If you'd hate this life, they might hate yours. As long as they're paying for it, who gives a shit if she's not studying full time, learning several languages or competing in high level sports (ok UCAS form lol)

People think work is productive and fulfilling, and for some it is. But the majority of people don't get great fulfillment out of their work and are good number are not very productive either. And plenty are very bored at work and get nothing out of their work apart from stress and hassle. So this life doesn't have to be any less productive or fulfilling than a regimented work life. It would suite some, not others. It probably appeals to those not happy with their current situation.
It's not a 'soft' life though. It will have its issues just like any life does.
As per usual, buying and caring for goats is the solution to making this a fulfilled life.

I love it, and I am fortunate to have a similar life.

I'm not sure I would need 24 hours a day to appreciate nature and a dog. I can do that and still work.

The only place I've seen the term 'soft life' is once or twice before on MN, so I don't know much about it. Lifestyles vary in how demanding they are, but describing someone else's life as 'soft' feels somewhat insulting (or at best patronising) to me.

I'm living what I suspect many would describe as a soft life. I do like it, yes, though there are still things to worry about and find difficult. It's not that soft of a life. No cleaner, for instance, but I only work part time and have a very flexible schedule and an undemanding and good-natured husband who probably helps around the house more than is usual. I have felt a bit judged by some people at times.

Sounds like my dream life! Maybe a couple more kids. Enjoy it!

Exactly! I've had a brief stint as a trailing wife and the other mums (they were lovely people) had nothing to talk about. Golden boring cage.

Well yeah, providing there were dogs and horses too. And a good community, where I had good friends. And if I liked my husband! I'd read a lot, and probably do online degrees. And learn a language, and piano. Volunteer a few days a week, and walk miles every day. I very definitely don't think I'd be bored.

oh gosh are you talking about me? It sounds like my life but mines even softer ( no children at home)! And yea it is soft. ( and squishy)

Do people really think that paid work is the only real meaning to life and at the end of life the books you read, the children you reared, the conversations you had, the relationships you had are all just "filler" if you didn't participate full time (defined for some reason as 40 hours a week) in the means of production. What about the job? how do you parse that. 6 hours a week designing jewellery that people love or 40 hours a week managing a hedge fund that could probably be managed better by Malkiel's monkey? Which is filler?

Capitalism has certainly done a number on people.

More dogs and more DC

I also have no idea what “soft life” means.

Assuming it means an easy life.

If so, what’s wrong with that?

Life doesn’t have to be hard.

My life is kind of the opposite of this but I don’t begrudge those who have it easier.

Lol, definitely not!

Sounds delightful.

For me though, I’d love that life if I was independently wealthy or a lottery winner, but would hate it if I was a ‘kept woman’. Might not make sense, and maybe I’d change my mind if my partner was loaded 😆

So she's a SAHM pretty much. That might get a bit lonely, but being permanently on holiday (which is what it sounds like, pool, beach, occasional pilates) would be great while it lasts, if I had my own money and not worried about my husband leaving me in the lurch.

It wouldn’t be for me as I wouldn’t want my husband working more hours for me.

Dog tax?

It sounds great honestly. Quality of life over rising the career ladder as long as you have enough money to be content and put aside for your pension. But you say ‘overseas’. Exactly where overseas? Have you always lived there? Followed your DH’s job? Are the people you meet for coffee genuinely your own friends?

Minus the child and seaside location this is a lot like my current life. And I’m not going to apologise for it.

I wouldn’t want to live abroad. But yes the rest sounds very easy and idyllic.

It sounds like what people desire when they say they wish they had a good work life balance.

I'm curious why you're asking?

I'd be bored senseless after a week

And how sad would that be? Time with your family and you sit there talking about work ?