Welcome, dear reader.

Stay Soft is a newsletter written by me, Laura Holway, dedicated to cultivating a more tender relationship with ourselves, one another, and the beautiful and hard parts of being human.

You can expect to find some combination of grounding practices, delight (poems, essays, other creative beauty I encounter), and psychological nerdery in these short letters.

The past 5 years have been some of the most trying of my life, and “stay soft” has been my mantra—and sometimes a tall order. During hard times it’s tempting to put on a tough exterior. However, I’ve continually reminded myself that bitterness prevents the very softening that saves us: an open heart, the ability to feel deeply, connection.

Staying soft isn’t something we achieve, but a continual practice.

Unsurprisingly, daily life and the demands of capitalism don’t foster softness.
We’re generally not encouraged to rest, grieve, feel, ground down, take time to create, tune into our needs, prioritize healthy connection, or to take a break from the hamster wheel of life. Instead, we’re told to speed up, aim higher, stay independent, and optimize.

Let’s practice staying soft together.

I like to imagine the power of a soft revolution. I suspect that it looks like a more trusting, compassionate relationship with ourselves and one another; more capacity for connection and emotional expression; a greater ability to tap into our creativity and imagination.

Meanwhile, I’m going to soften as well, by letting this little letter find it’s feet over time, and shift course as my life requires (and my creativity requests).

Please feel free to reach out and share how you’re practicing softness in your daily life.

I’m an artist, embodiment nerd, and psychotherapist, currently practicing in Saint Paul, Minnesota. You can learn more about my therapy work over here.

I’ve worked as a consultant with creative business owners and arts organizations for the past decade, and believe that our creativity is an opportunity to soften and connect more deeply with ourselves. I’m also a parent, dinner party enthusiast, and mediocre gardener.

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Disclaimer:

This writing is my opinion, and does not represent the opinion of any business or entity I am affiliated with. This newsletter is not intended as therapy, a mental health service, or individual professional advice, nor is it a substitute for mental health services of any kind. Seek individual support if you need it. Please take all advice at your own risk.