soft words only

for gentle thoughts emotions, quietly shared we say it softly here

[heysayitsoftly]

introduction

say it softly submissions𝜗ৎ

submissions are open. say it softly is an ongoing collection of quiet words — sentences never shared, thoughts left unfinished, things meant

hey softlies! say it softly is an ongoing anonymous zine project centered on quiet, unspoken words — sentences never sent, thoughts left unfinished, and feelings that didn’t need to be loud to be true. each volume may follow a theme, but free submissions without a theme are always welcome. as this is our first time starting this project, any feedback is welcome through our Tumblr ask box. to stay updated on releases, themes, and previews, follow the project on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hey_sayitsoftly/?igsh=cjRtNWpyeDNscW1x&utm_source=qr#

to submit and be featured in the zine, you can:

use the google form linked in this post

send an anonymous submission through tumblr asks

all submissions are anonymous. you are not required to share more than you want. unfinished work is welcome. thank you for trusting this project with your time. it’s held gently. thank you for being part of this space. thank you for listening softly. we’re glad you’re here.

[heysayitsoftly]

What remains isn't an ending, but a lingering trace like footprints washed away by the tide, yet somehow still remembered by the shore. We didn't disappear, we simply changed into something that exists only in memory.

[heysayitsoftly]

I complain about home more than I should. I notice the flaws, the stagnation, the things that never seem to change. Sometimes it feels like I grew up while the place I came from stayed frozen in time.

But the truth is — I miss it.

I miss the shortcuts through familiar streets, the voices that still call me by childhood names, the walls that watched me grow, the memories layered into every corner.

Being away made me realize how complicated love for a place can be. How home can feel both comforting and suffocating. How it can hold conflict and warmth under the same roof.

I joke, I criticize, I pretend I don’t care — but deep down, I just want to belong.

Maybe I talk bad because I miss it. Maybe missing something doesn’t always look like love.

And maybe home, no matter how imperfect, will always be a part of who I am.

[heysayitsoftly]

catching up

"it's been a while hasn't it?" "yeah, I guess so... how's everything going for you?" "well, it's pretty okay.. you?" "same old, same old." "alright then, i'll see you around then." "'right, take care.., see you.." and then we never saw each other again because we changed so much none of us could recognize each other. though I do hope things are going well for you, even if you do not wish the same for me. .

. NOTE: if you're reading this, I hope you know how it's going to be alright. nothing lasts forever and that's the beauty we often take for granted. in time, everything will pass. may you always find the sparks of joy in even the simplest things. take care of yourself and have a good day/night.

[heysayitsoftly]

missed your chance to submit for volume 02? submissions are now open for volume 03.

say it softly, in my room is currently accepting submissions from january 16–24.

you’re welcome to write for the theme, or to submit something freely without one.

submissions can be sent through the google form linked in our pinned post, or anonymously through tumblr asks.

[heysayitsoftly]

home is where the volume lowers. where voiced don't always need to rise. where the softest things stay. spoken gently, where they felt safest.

say it softly, in my home Volume 02 out now thank you everyone for your submissions!

[heysayitsoftly]

The Door Was Always Open

the new year has been so nice to me in ways I have begged the previous years to treat me. i've never once felt this calm and at peace despite the heavy chaos from the last year. i'm grateful to still be here and able to see what has always been in store for me, all I had to do was be brave and open the door. i hope it's the same for everyone, everyone deserves to feel the new year's kindness.

[heysayitsoftly]

How can I apply i see no link to a google form or anything?

sorry about that, must have made a mistake editing everything. thanks for letting me know here's the link : https://forms.gle/LmTeMfV3gxSd8tSt5

[heysayitsoftly]

Fear didn't leave before this was made. It just stayed close. This wasn't make this when it felt brave. Made for when standing felt heavier than moving. Made it for days where moving was better than staying. VULNERABLE for the moments we go through anyway. -spoken softly

[heysayitsoftly]

a glimpse of what stayed indoors

a preview, since some rooms are meant to be quiet

Volume 2 "say it softly, in my home" submissions are open

[heysayitsoftly]

hello, softlies.

submissions are open for volume 02: say it softly, in my home 5–12 january 2026.

this is the link to our instagram we're still starting out https://www.instagram.com/hey_sayitsoftly/?igsh=cjRtNWpyeDNscW1x&utm_source=qr#

this volume is about the quiet corners of home — what you keep, what you return to, what lives in rooms you know by heart.

you’re not required to share more than you want. some things can stay unfinished. whatever you write is enough.

you can write for this theme, or send something freely, without one.

say it softly.

[heysayitsoftly]

⋆˚꩜｡Introducing the mini-series "food for thought" ! ⋆˚꩜｡ It is a quiet series about eating and feeling. photos of food, paired with handwritten thoughts — things we say to ourselves, or wish we could say to someone else. because food remembers us. because wanting can be tender. because sometimes affection shows up at the table. nothing here needs to make sense. it just needs to be felt.say it softly.

[heysayitsoftly]

Volume 1 is out now on the website!

Celebrating the new year with a piece that reminisces memories and more spoken softly in the beautiful gardens.

Thank you everyone for your submissions!

[heysayitsoftly]

come in, you're welcome to stay a while ⊹₊˚‧︵‿

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧⊹₊˚‧

what is 'say it softly'?

this is a project, a collection of fragments- texts, confessions, half-finished thoughts, and conversations.

this page holds what people choose not to say out loud. nothing here is polished. nothing here is performed.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧⊹₊˚‧

why say it softly?

in a world where loud often means being seen and right, soft whispers are the ones left unheard.

some things are meant to be said softly. not everything needs to be loud to be true.

this is a place for the words you never raised your voice to say, for the thoughts that live between sentences.

here, everything is enough — whether it’s a sentence you never sent or something you wish you’d said.

all you have to do is say it softly.

here, you are not required to reveal more than you want. silence is allowed. some things can stay unfinished.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹⊹₊˚‧⊹₊˚‧

follow the project on Instagram @heysayitsoftly and our tumblr! our first issue will be released shortly, stay tuned until then!