Small Rituals, Big Shifts: Inside the World of Gentle Habits with Sophie Marshall
From balancing motherhood to managing a growing business, Sophie Marshall has built Gentle Habits around one simple truth: change begins with the smallest moments. She talks about finding creativity in movement and nature, crafting scents inspired by place and memory, and the importance of trusting the natural rhythm of life and business. Her story is a reminder that gentle, intentional habits can transform the everyday.
For anyone new to Gentle Habits, can you share a little about how it all began and what the brand means to you?
Gentle Habits began in 2020 during a chapter of life where I found myself feeling overwhelmed and disconnected - especially after long workdays and a lot of overseas travel as a full-time mum of two boys. Lighting incense became a daily ritual that allowed me to pause, take a breath and shift gears into “mum mode”. That ritual evolved into “This Is Incense” (Australian made Incense) and now, Gentle Habits. This brand is deeply personal. It’s a reflection of my own journey back to presence, calm and connection. We’re here to create products to help you explore and find small, grounding rituals in your day that lead to positive outcomes - however that looks for you.
How do you keep your creativity flowing and stay inspired day to day?
Inspiration comes from being present in the everyday. Whether it’s walking barefoot on the beach, lighting incense before a work session, diving underwater with my boys or journalling after sunrise - my creativity is tied to movement, music, ritual and giving myself space to create. I also love connecting with our community and hearing how they use our products - that always sparks new ideas.
What influences the scents you create for Gentle Habits?
Every scent is inspired by place, memory and feeling. Most are anchored in locations that mean something to me - like Bells Beach ( where we got married) , Byron or Yamba - and each one is crafted to capture the mood of that place. I also love blending scent profiles that create a sense of that place based on nostalgia, or grounding experience it can create. Scent is so personal, and I always want our scents to feel intentional and transportive.
What are some of your own “gentle habits” that help you stay grounded and balanced?
Morning sun on my face. Jumping in the ocean or an Ice bath. Incense with a coffee.Afternoon reflection with my Positive Outcome Journal. These are the small, consistent things that keep me grounded and in flow. They help me return to myself when life gets hectic.
Is there a Gentle Habits product you’re especially loving right now? What makes it
special for you?
At the moment, I’m loving our Yamba incense. It’s a scent that reminds me of home. I have been travelling a lot and burning this scent takes me back to my happy place. Lighting it during the workday or in the evening helps me switch gears. It’s my favourite scent of all time.
What are some of your biggest lessons learnt from starting your own business?
So many lessons - but one of the biggest has been learning to trust the timing of things. Growth, creativity, rest - it’s all cyclical. Trust your instincts. Also, don’t wait to have it “perfect” before you start. Just begin. Gentle Habits started with $2,000 and a big vision. We’ve grown because we’ve stayed close to our business values and built a community that genuinely believes in what we do.
Anything else you’d love to share with the SISUU community - a thought, ritual, or gentle reminder?
You don’t need to overhaul your life to feel better - sometimes all it takes is one small shift. Light a stick of incense, be present, go outside barefoot, get into nature. Gentle Habits are about creating space in the everyday.
Head over to Gentle Habits to explore their offerings and learn more.
