A mini guide to navigating February
Oh Casanova-Feb. The month that swans in with a flurry of sparkling hearts, promises and sugary sweet platitudes. That provides guarantees you haven’t missed the boat if you’ve false started the new year, that its not too late to work on those new years resolutions or to be rewarded at years end with rounds of applause from your adoring public.
Whilst being the shortest month of the year, it carries a weight to actually be seen. The last month of summer, its the last opportunity to show off the many school holiday activities, to be seen bronzed and social, to soft launch new partners or pressure the other half to make their public decrees of affection on socials and to also be perceived as kicking those small businesses and careers back into top gear. The slow summer vibes packed up and back in the garden shed till the next heat wave hits.
So how do we cling to a less visible, less performative season in the juggle of it all?
The pitch? Should the real hero of February be little old you???
Sure, much of the self-care trending material right now is still a super aesthetic, for the gram, very much hard work, performative practice. So in all of this, just remember, not everything has to be public. Not everything has to be shared. If done right, small practices just for you, might help you find something within this month. A little valentines gift to yourself. A love of your own company, a moment to breathe, a tenderness before Autumn creeps in.
Last week I did my first New Yorker crossword. The WHOLE thing. I’m not sure I’ve ever actually completed a whole crossword in the newspaper and was feeling pretty damn proud. A concentrated 27 minute task with no phone and no distractions. And also ignoring the pop up at the end that alerted me to the horribly-humbling note that it was in fact a Beginner Friendly game… still a little thrilled. This month adding a crossword to the to-do’s each week and highly recommend. Crosswords, sudoku, doodles in the phone book. Just as long as your phone is out of arms reach.
Gentle journalling - Ok I have to be honest not completely on the journalling train because as a hustling business owner, 9-5er and mum, I just don’t have the capacity to journal daily. The brain gets a little mush sometimes. But one a week to word vomit on the page? Hiiiighly recommend. Hey, even start your own substack so if I don’t get mine out at least I can read your ramblings. Tag me!
Wear something just because it feels good. Its summer. It’s been crazy hot and people are insanely uncomfortable, sweaty, deflated right now. But there is always something small to boost your game. Slicked back bun to beat the heat. Try a new brown gel that claims to be sweat proof. Score some new swimmers or treat yourself to a piece of jewellery that makes your thongs and bike shorts combo feel put together.
Find a love of something new. There are so many things we just don’t try because of habit. Every morning, I boil the kettle and make the same coffee - the poor little tea bags forgotten in the dark depths of the cupboard until guests might request. February might just be the month to try something new - tea has so many options, flavours, brewing rituals. Use the short month to try a new beverage. End the day with a tea over a wine a soften into the coming colder months.
If January was full chaos, let’s take Feb as a chance for some slow routine setting, some enjoying the lingering sunsets, some time just for you and some less performative moments off the gram. This month doesn’t have the be loud. You don’t need flashy declarations of how fabulous life is; Here’s to a more gently end of summer. A chance to breathe as the routine of school returns, the bedtimes are reinforced and the chance of board games over late summer storms increases. Here’s to that kind of Feb.
Ash x
