Everything, 30 at a time

Every meditation, breathing exercise, sleep story, focus session, guide and essay on SoftlyStill — 6,878 pieces, newest first, 30 to a page.

Focus50 min

50-minute focus session for writing with a fireplace, if you are new to this

50 minutes on writing — the first draft, not the good version. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.

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Breathing2 min

Box breathing — 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 — for a stolen moment of caregiving, when you feel fine and want to stay that way

A 4 · 4 · 4 · 4 rhythm — four equal sides, like tracing a square.

Breathe →
Meditation3 min

Restlessness at night: 3-minute body scan meditation, at the weekend

3 minutes to meet restlessness at night with less of a fight. A body scan practice, at the weekend.

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Meditation12 min

Meditation for anger: 12-minute self-compassion session, at lunch

Nothing to learn and nothing to fix: 12 minutes of self-compassion for anger, at lunch.

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Story5 min read

Meditate Without Apps: A Simple Start

Start meditating with ease, no apps or classes needed.

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Meditation5 min

4-2-6 breathing for calm evenings

Use this when the house quiets down and you want a simple way to settle before bed.

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Meditation5 min

three minute body scan

Use this when you’re getting ready for sleep and need a brief way to notice tension.

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Sleep20 min

The house after everyone is asleep — a slow story for the end of the day, if you are new to this — for winding down

The hour when the house belongs to nobody and nothing needs doing.

Settle in →
Focus90 min

90-minute focus session for language practice with vinyl crackle, when your attention is scattered

90 minutes on language practice — repetition rather than novelty. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.

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Breathing2 min

How to use Coherent 5-5 breathing for Sunday evening, when you have just finished work

Rounds of 5 · 5, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation20 min

Noting for concentration: 20 minutes, at 3pm

Nothing to learn and nothing to fix: 20 minutes of noting for concentration, at 3pm.

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Meditation7 min

Softening for sleep: 7 minutes, on the morning of an interview

Slow, spoken guidance for sleep. A softening session you can do on the morning of an interview.

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Sleep12 min

The night train (a sleep story), when you need to stop thinking about work — for an overtired night

Somewhere between two cities, in the dark, where nobody needs anything from you.

Settle in →
Focus45 min

Deep work timer: 45 minutes of studying (a fan or air conditioner), when you have been meaning to start

One block of studying with a fan or air conditioner underneath. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.

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Breathing2 min

How to use 6-2-6-2 breathing for a stolen moment of caregiving, before you go back to something hard

Rounds of 6 · 2 · 6 · 2, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation5 min

5-minute guided body scan practice for perfectionism — at the end of the workday

For the times at the end of the workday when perfectionism takes up more room than you would like — 5 minutes, body scan.

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Meditation12 min

Self-compassion meditation for morning energy (12 min), in the hour before an exam

Slow, spoken guidance for morning energy. A self-compassion session you can do in the hour before an exam.

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Sleep15 min

Sleep story: a caravan by the sea, when you have more time than usual — for a restless night

Thin walls, wind outside, and the sound of shingle about fifty metres away.

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Focus50 min

Deep work timer: 50 minutes of drawing (distant thunder), before something difficult

One block of drawing with distant thunder underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.

Start the block →
Breathing2 min

Slow box breath (5 · 5 · 5 · 5) for anxious moments, when you want to be left alone

Rounds of 5 · 5 · 5 · 5, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation10 min

Jaw tension: 10-minute letting go meditation, during the evening wind-down

For the times during the evening wind-down when jaw tension takes up more room than you would like — 10 minutes, letting go.

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Meditation20 min

Meditation for appreciation: 20-minute breathing session, before public speaking

Slow, spoken guidance for appreciation. A breathing session you can do before public speaking.

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Sleep20 min

An attic room — a slow story for the end of the day, when you are waiting for something — for winding down

Sloping ceiling, rain on the roof a foot above your head.

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Focus25 min

25-minute focus block for reading — café murmur, when the house is busy

A timer, a short prep list, and 25 minutes to read properly.

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Breathing2 min

4-6 breath (4 · 6) for a grey day, if you are new to this

Rounds of 4 · 6, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation15 min

15-minute gratitude meditation for fear of flying, at night

For the times at night when fear of flying takes up more room than you would like — 15 minutes, gratitude.

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Meditation5 min

5-minute grounding meditation for anxiety, after a fight

Slow, spoken guidance for anxiety. A grounding session you can do after a fight.

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Sleep12 min

A lighthouse at the end of a long day (a sleep story), if you have five quiet minutes — for an overtired night

One light turning, a kettle, and weather you are on the right side of.

Settle in →
Focus45 min

45-minute focus block for thesis writing — a fireplace, when the weather has kept you inside

A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to add to the pile.

Start the block →
Breathing2 min

4-2-6 breath (4 · 2 · 6) for a hot day, when your attention is scattered

Rounds of 4 · 2 · 6, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →