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.

Meditation3 min

Noting meditation for sadness (3 min), at the end of the workday

3 minutes to meet sadness with less of a fight. A noting practice, at the end of the workday.

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Meditation10 min

10-minute softening meditation for test anxiety, in the hour before an exam

For the times in the hour before an exam when test anxiety takes up more room than you would like — 10 minutes, softening.

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Focus45 min

45-minute focus session for research with a stream, when you are somewhere noisy

45 minutes on research — with a note file open beside you. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.

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Breathing2 min

How to use Double-inhale sigh for a cold morning, when you need to stop thinking about work

A 3 · 8 rhythm — two inhales stacked together, then everything out through the mouth.

Breathe →
Meditation7 min

Meditation for sleep: 7-minute body scan session, during the evening wind-down

7 minutes to meet sleep with less of a fight. A body scan practice, during the evening wind-down.

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Meditation15 min

15-minute guided self-compassion practice for burnout — before public speaking

For the times before public speaking when burnout takes up more room than you would like — 15 minutes, self-compassion.

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Focus50 min

50-minute focus session for applications and forms with plain quiet, after a long day

50 minutes on applications and forms — dull but finite. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.

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Breathing2 min

Beginner box breath (2 · 2 · 2 · 2) for a long wait, if you are doing this instead of scrolling

A 2 · 2 · 2 · 2 rhythm — the easiest version of the square.

Breathe →
Meditation12 min

Softening for morning energy: 12 minutes, at bedtime

12 minutes to meet morning energy with less of a fight. A softening practice, at bedtime.

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Meditation3 min

Noting for waking at 3am: 3 minutes, before a conversation you are dreading

For the times before a conversation you are dreading when waking at 3am takes up more room than you would like — 3 minutes, noting.

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Focus25 min

Deep work timer: 25 minutes of planning (a train carriage), when you are waiting for something

One block of planning with a train carriage underneath. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.

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Breathing3 min

Soft 4-7-8 breath (4 · 4 · 8) for creative work, when you need something unremarkable

A 4 · 4 · 8 rhythm — the hold cut short, the long exhale kept.

Breathe →
Meditation20 min

Self-compassion meditation for gratitude (20 min), late at night

20 minutes to meet gratitude with less of a fight. A self-compassion practice, late at night.

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Meditation7 min

Body scan meditation for self-criticism (7 min), after a conflict

For the times after a conflict when self-criticism takes up more room than you would like — 7 minutes, body scan.

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Focus45 min

Deep work timer: 45 minutes of writing (vinyl crackle), when you are too tired to try hard

One block of writing with vinyl crackle underneath. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.

Start the block →
Breathing3 min

7-11 breath (7 · 11) for Monday morning, after a difficult conversation

A 7 · 11 rhythm — a long, slow ratio for when you have time.

Breathe →
Meditation5 min

Anxiety: 5-minute breathing meditation, at your desk

A 5-minute breathing session for anxiety, at your desk. No app, no account — press start.

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Meditation12 min

Meditation for a mindful pause: 12-minute letting go session, after bad news

For the times after bad news when a mindful pause takes up more room than you would like — 12 minutes, letting go.

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Meditation5 min

quiet breath before bedtime

Use this when you lie down and want to ease into sleep.

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Sleep12 min

A caravan by the sea — a slow story for the end of the day, if you are doing this instead of scrolling — for jet lag

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

Settle in →
Focus90 min

Deep work timer: 90 minutes of language practice (white noise), when you are not sure this will work

One block of language practice with white noise underneath. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.

Start the block →
Breathing2 min

Tight box breathing exercise for a big decision — when you are waiting for something

Rounds of 4 · 1 · 4 · 1, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation20 min

Gratitude for social anxiety: 20 minutes, when it all piles up

For the times when it all piles up when social anxiety takes up more room than you would like — 20 minutes, gratitude.

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Meditation10 min

Grounding for tension headaches: 10 minutes, in the late afternoon

10 minutes to meet tension headaches with less of a fight. A grounding practice, in the late afternoon.

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Sleep20 min

An attic room, when you have been putting it off — for a night when you do not want to think

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

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Focus25 min

25-minute focus block for studying — distant thunder, when you are not in the mood

A timer, a short prep list, and 25 minutes to take in the material.

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Breathing2 min

3-6 breathing exercise for Friday evening — when you are too tired to try hard

Rounds of 3 · 6, with the counting done for you.

Breathe →
Meditation5 min

5-minute guided breathing practice for burnout — as sleep prep

For the times as sleep prep when burnout takes up more room than you would like — 5 minutes, breathing.

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Meditation15 min

Letting go meditation for worry (15 min), during a break

15 minutes to meet worry with less of a fight. A letting go practice, during a break.

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Sleep10 min

Sleep story: a lighthouse at the end of a long day, when the weather has kept you inside — for waking too early

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

Settle in →