Love Rules.

I truly love the month of February. It’s short. It’s sweet. It’s snowy. It’s the bridge between Winter and Spring (or at least sometimes it is).

This month I really wanted to focus on love. The world feels extra busy, chaotic, and hard to keep up with, and when this happens I tend to turn away from Social Media, turn down the news and turn up the music. Turn to my local space a little more, and seek out more of the stuff that makes me feel warm, fuzzy, and good. Those things, are always without a doubt, things I love. Love rules. Love wins. And this month, I’ve gone head first. Things I love are: music, food, hygge, moving my body, fancy coffees.

I’ve been listening to music that feels easy: Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, the Beatles; and music that feels good: I’ve been leaning heaving into the 90s and 00s: Backstreet Boys, Lauryn Hill, Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Brandi Carlile, Spice Girls, J-LO.

I’ve been eating food that feels warm and cozy: soups, stews, roasted everything. More tea in the afternoon, less dessert and more wine in the evenings. More candles and blankets and books.

Going outside when the sun is shining and the winds are quiet. Enjoying the woods in the winter and how the snow sticks to the branches and how my backyard looks like Narnia.

Having moments where there is nothing to listen to but the water running for the dishes. Talking more and watching a little less. Games and cards. Sharing space or time (on the phone) with family and friends.

Sitting and enjoying a hot coffee in a coffee shop, instead of always getting it, leaving, and getting on the go.

I guess when I focus on love and things I love, everything slows down. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Love rules. Happy February.

To Write About:

• Write a love letter to yourself.

• Make a list of loves: places, food, scents, people, activities, etc. Write a list of everything you love. Slowly buy surely re-read your list and see how you can weave a few of these loves into your days. How can your loves have a presence in your days for the rest of this month or the rest of this year? Could these build new habits or rituals? Play around here.

• Write a letter to a person who inspires you. Express your respect for them, your gratitude, and your love for how they inspire you and your life.

• How do you feel about the month of February? For some it’s too short, too cold, and too busy. For others it’s full of love, vacation week, and fun snow storms. Write about your feelings around this month and make a plan for how to find small bits of joy in its remaining days. Don’t force it or bypass your feelings, but instead think of it like play-doh: how can you play with this month to make it a little more joyful, a little less busy, and the days a little bit longer?

To Put into Play:

• Complete a random act of kindness. Buy the person behind you in line their coffee, pay for the car behind you at the tolls, drop off goodies for your neighbors, Venmo 5 bucks to a friend for a sweet treat.

• Nostalgia makes the heart flutter fast and free. I’ve been really into listening to music from the late 90s and early 00s. It’s brought me so much joy (and a lot of impromptu dance parties!). Create a playlist of music that brings a sense of happy nostalgia.

• Take time each day for self-care. Give yourself the freedom to let the self-care range from 5 minutes - 2 hours. Whether it’s watching a film, doing a quick eye mask, or sitting in your car for 5 minutes to breath before walking into the building, for the rest of this month take time daily for self care.

• Check out this meditation from “Calm”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vI8Kh3-epg

• Love your body by stretching daily (this could be your self-care and could be for just 5 minutes!) and staying hydrated.