September Softness: Choosing Kindness in Troubled Waters

There was a year I made a decision that would change the course of my life. I stopped being harsh, critical, and mean to myself. For years, I had carried the weight of high expectations, the pressure to always perform, and the urge to keep everything perfect. And when I fell short of those standards, I tore myself apart with words that cut deeper than anyone else’s could.

But that year was different. One year I no longer berated myself for doing too much. Instead of calling myself weak or careless, I spoke kindly. One year I introduced rest and calmness into my routine, without apology. One year I valued my peace above everything and found that it was easier to say “no” when my soul whispered that it was enough. One year I finally realized that life isn’t about being perfect, it’s about getting better. One year I gave myself permission to take it easy, to breathe, and to simply be.

That year, I handled disappointments with grace. Instead of spiraling into frustration, I whispered to myself: “It’s okay. You’ll try again.” And with that, I extended the same grace to others. I stopped demanding perfection from myself, and in turn, I stopped demanding it from people around me.

That one year taught me that softness is not weakness. It is strength with wisdom. It is the art of surviving troubled waters without letting the storm live inside you.

This September, I want you to join me in choosing softness and kindness for yourself. If the past months have been heavy, let this month be lighter. If life feels uncertain, let this month be the one where you find safety within yourself. Because no matter what happens around you, you can decide to be soft, kind, and gentle within.

Why Softness Matters in Troubled Waters

We often believe that strength is about being hard, tough, and unbending. But life has shown me otherwise. When you’re harsh with yourself in difficult times, you only deepen the pain. You criticize, you judge, you punish—and instead of moving forward, you sink deeper into self-doubt.

Softness, on the other hand, allows you to stay afloat. Think of water: it flows around rocks, bends with the current, and yet, it never loses itself. That’s what being soft and kind does for you in troubled waters. It helps you bend without breaking.

When you stop demanding perfection from yourself, you discover peace. When you choose gentle words instead of harsh criticism, you build courage to try again. And when you value your rest and calmness, you give your body and soul the fuel they need to rise stronger.

This September, make softness your strategy. Make kindness your anchor.

Lessons from the Greats

I’m not the only one who has discovered the power of gentleness. Three voices that have guided my journey—Louise Hay, Lisa Nichols, and Esther Hicks—echo the same truth in different ways.

Louise Hay once said, “You have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” These words hit me hard. For so long, I thought self-criticism would keep me disciplined. But the truth is, it only left me drained. Approval, kindness, and encouragement built me up in ways criticism never could.

Lisa Nichols teaches that “Your job is to fill your own cup, so it overflows. Then you can serve others, joyfully.” This is the very heart of softness. You cannot keep pouring out love, energy, and attention to the world if you are dry inside. You must nurture yourself first.

And Esther Hicks reminds us that “You cannot struggle yourself into alignment—you must ease your way there.” Life doesn’t reward us for over-struggling. It rewards us when we learn to align with peace, flow, and softness.

How to Be Soft and Graceful

So how do you actually live this out? Being soft is not about laziness. It’s about handling yourself with wisdom, love, and grace. Here are five ways:

1. Pause before you push

When you feel overwhelmed, resist the urge to force your way through. Stop. Take a breath. Step away. Sometimes the most powerful move is to rest before continuing.

2. Choose gentle words

Your self-talk shapes your reality. When you make a mistake, instead of saying, “I’m so stupid,” try: “I’m learning. Next time I’ll do better.”

3. Let imperfection teach you

Life is not a test you must pass perfectly. It’s a journey of lessons. Let mistakes remind you that you are human, and humanity is beautiful.

4. Value your peace above all

Not every invitation, demand, or request deserves your “yes.” Protect your peace like it’s gold. Because it is.

5. Move with ease, not force

Life is lighter when you stop wrestling with it. Flow where you can. Release what you cannot control.

5 Affirmations for September

1. I give myself permission to rest and recover.

2. I am kind, gentle, and patient with myself.

3. I choose peace over perfection.

4. I handle disappointments with grace and let go easily.

5. I honor my needs and create space for my well-being.

Say these daily. Write them on sticky notes. Whisper them when you wake. They will remind you to choose softness every day.

5 Journal Prompts to Guide You

1. Where in my life do I still demand perfection from myself?

2. What does being “soft” with myself look like today?

3. How can I create more peace in my daily routine?

4. What am I proud of myself for this year?

5. How can I handle disappointments with more grace?

These questions aren’t for judgment. They’re for reflection. Write freely, without fear. Let your words be honest and soft.

My Own Transformation

When I look back at the year I chose softness, I realize how much lighter life became. I no longer felt like I was in a constant battle with myself. I had spent years demanding too much of me, expecting perfection at every turn, and being merciless when I fell short. But when I allowed myself to rest, to be gentle, and to simply be human, I discovered peace I never thought was possible.

I handled setbacks without crumbling. I said no without guilt. I gave grace to myself and to others, and suddenly relationships felt easier. Life became more about growth than performance. And most importantly, I realized I was worthy of love, not because I was perfect, but because I was me.

September doesn’t have to be another month of rushing, proving, or pushing. Let it be the month you choose softness. The month you remind yourself that kindness begins with you. The month you let go of perfection and embrace peace.

Troubled waters will come, but you don’t have to face them with harshness. You can choose to float, to breathe, and to be carried by your own gentle strength.

This month, may you be soft, may you be kind, and may you remember that you are always worthy of love and grace.

If this spoke to your heart, let’s take it further. I’m offering a free 15-minute coaching session to help you step into this softer, kinder version of yourself. It’s your time to embrace peace, grace, and gentleness.

Comment below or reach out directly, and let’s begin this journey together.