Softness is often misunderstood. It is associated with being passive, with giving in, with letting things happen instead of choosing them. It is often placed on the same level as submission, as if being open, gentle, or receptive automatically means giving up control or agency. But in reality these are completely different things, that often get confused. Softness is not the absence of strength. It is not obedience. And it is not something that exists for someone else to take advantage of. Softness, when it is real, is a state that comes from within. It is something you allow, not something that is taken from you. For many people, softness can feel unfamiliar. This is especially true for those who have spent a long time being independent, controlled, or self-reliant. There is often a belief that staying guarded is what keeps you safe. Many think that being strong means staying in control at all times. They fear that letting go, even slightly, could lead to being hurt or taken advantage of. At the same time, …