Why Everyone Wants a ‘Soft Life’ in Dubai

The way the past generation used to live is starting to become a thing of the past: the hard routines, the busy and strict schedules, and the constant discipline to keep working hard and earn the right to rest after you've made something of yourself. Times are changing, and now we have entered into a new era of “soft life”, a new lifestyle trend that makes people prioritize themselves, their comfort and ease, and health, both physical and mental. It's important to work hard and maintain discipline, but it's even more important to check up on yourself and treat yourself to things that bring you joy in order to maintain that motivation to keep working hard.

And there's only one city that's keeping up with this new trend of self-prioritization, Dubai.

Soft life is essentially a change in mindset; it's to fix the old, traditional way people think life should be lived, and shift to newer, better methods, introducing a work-life balance. This mindset is something that is important for everyone's health. It says that you can prove yourself without working yourself into an early grave. You deserve the good things in life, too. You don't need to always push yourself, even when you want to relax or take a pause; all that causes is self-discipline that essentially ruins your health. Everyone deserves some sunshine, a home they find peaceful, and some personal alone time. Soft life is the opposite of what hustle culture teaches us.

As the importance of the need to improve employee work-life balance has started to surface everywhere in the media, it's become something that Dubai was quick to catch on to as well, and the city is here for it.

Dubai, while famous for all its high-rise buildings and luxury lifestyle, is also a city that has become very lifestyle-conscious over the years.

Multiple residential communities have been designed specifically with the intention to bring the vacation to your doorstep, and give you a home that feels like a haven. Most of the recent developments that have gone on the market are waterfront living areas like Palm Jebel Ali and Dubai Creek Harbour, suburbs like Jumeirah Golf Estates and Tilal Al Ghaf, etc. These are communities that have been planned with special emphasis on ensuring that the residents feel at peace. This is why a lot of the added amenities in these residential areas are made to ease the mind, such as walking trails, open-air cafes, wellness centers, and much more.

There have also been different types of cafes that have become more frequented, especially for those who want to relax; these cafes make you feel like you're in your living room. It sounds kind of weird considering the fact that for the past few years, the trend of coffee had shifted more to caffeine fix, and cafes turned into work zones where employees who were drained of energy would take up a seat, work away while piling up the cups of coffee. But Dubai’s coffee culture has really taken a turn towards the soft life; many favorites like The Grey, SEVA Table, and Comptoir 103 have cozy vibes and menus that are completely organic; the place just gives a comfort that makes you want to stay longer. It's not to rush your order and run out; these are places made for lounging and relaxing.

One of the top priorities of Dubai as a city is to make convenience a lifestyle itself as well, which is why so many things that may seem like a hassle before have started to become so much more easily accessible, allowing you to free up more time to give it towards yourself and things you love.

There are now apps for almost any and everything you might need. You can book a luxury sports car, get someone to come clean your house, spruce yourself up with some services, get your laundry done, just anything you want, i t's at the tip of your fingers and a few taps away.

Many organizations have started to move with this new shift as well and understand what it takes to keep their employees motivated. Many coworking spaces, such as Nasad, The Bureau, or OneLi, have changed their vibes and work culture, and the space feels more like a hotel than a workspace. There are pools, rooms to meditate, and facilities that support employee wellness on site.

The best aspect of a soft life would probably be the fact that it's your life, it's all about you, and you can do what you like, not what anyone else says. Focus on things that bring you joy and put your mind at ease. If you like to wake up early and get a quick workout in, that's great. If you want to sleep in and go out with your friends in the evening, amazing as well. The point is, it's all up to you, and there are no rules or fixed paths.

Dubai is open to all, it's a place that creates a place that is safe for everyone, whether you want to work, let your creativity flow, innovate, or simply enjoy life as it goes.