Happy end of February, folks! It’s the shortest month but it sure doesn’t feel like it.
I am so very guilty of wishing away this time of year. As far as I’m concerned, winter is over and yesterday in MN gave me a semi-false sense of spring. It felt like spring, but didn’t look it. The ground is still brown and the trees are still bare. I’m someone who leans heavily into seasons as a reason to feel a certain way so I just don’t know what to do with myself in this time of limbo. For example:
Fall (September - Early November):
I start making soups again
Bonfires
Raking leaves/yard work without being too hot
Roadtrips to see the tree colors
Winter (Mid-November - January):
Every November I reread Wintering by Katherine May
Holidays - I get INTO it
I hibernate but I know it’s temporary so I don’t get too sad
Wish I planned a trip somewhere warm
Spring (March - May):
My favorite day of the year is the first 65-degree day after Winter when everyone is out and about and happy
Garden planning
General better mood/more energy
I start eating healthier
Summer (June - August):
Design days to be outside as much as possible
See friends more during the week vs. weekends because everyone travels
Live in either athletic clothing or dresses
Our house doesn’t have A/C so I am always a little uncomfortably warm inside but hey, what can you do?
Okay, so as you can see, in my mind, February doesn’t fall into any season. It just exists. I’m feeling those effects this week as I’m hanging onto some winter habits like hibernating and wishing I was traveling soon, but having more energy and not knowing where to channel it yet. I no longer know what to do with myself.
All of this to say is I’m ready for change, even if it’s on a 365-day loop and has been this way for generations. As always, I never know what the future will bring but I just have a feeling this spring will be good for us all.
Weekly Report -
R: Reading -
I have hardly read this week but in an effort to scroll less, I follow more publications and one of my favorites is Byline. They had a fun piece titled “Let’s Take A Trip Down Myspace Lane” that I read recently.
E: Eating -
Earlier in this newsletter I said that I typically start eating better in the spring and yesterday, I made my first salad for dinner in…months. This grilled chicken cobb salad hit the spot.
P: Playing With -
Needle felting! I have a baby shower coming up and I’m attempting to make some decorations. Wish me luck. I will share photos after the event. :)
Needle felting is really just sculpting with wool. You use needles to compact the wool into the shape you’d like and I’ve never done it before. I’m really enjoying it!
O: Obsessing -
The idea that every neighborhood needs a bookstore. There was a story on the news about a Bronx woman who quit her job after the last bookstore closed in her neighborhood. She bought a bus that now serves as a traveling bookstore and her business is called Bronx Bound Books. It’s a really nice story!
R: Recommending -
Buying yourself something small to feel something again! I think it’s okay to treat yourself. I bought a cute pair of jeans on super clearance after months of no new clothes and it made me very happy. I also got myself a vegetable brush in preparation for the upcoming garden season. It’s in the name of romanticizing the process.
T: Trying -
I’ve been coming into my own age recently and I remember years ago my cousin saying it happens fast. She was referring to suddenly caring about birds.
I suddenly care about birds.
I’m trying to learn more about my regulars at the feeder and which kinds of birds are in my area that I haven’t seen yet. This is the first week where I’ve had regular visitors so I’m still very new here.
Original Words -
This week’s original words are a little different. For the sake of the upcoming spring cleaning season, I wrote a piece about organization for one of my clients, Perkins on Parkway. Hope you like it!
New Year, New Home Organization Tips
It’s not groundbreaking journalism but it might light a spark in you.
Journal Prompt -
In 3 days, we will be entering our 3rd month of the year. I think it could be beneficial it look back on the year thus far and see how you’re feeling. Here are some potential prompts to follow:
What were some stand-out days so far? What made them so special?
What unexpected thing happened so far this year?
What have you learned so far? It could be a fun fact or something about yourself/someone you know.
I am someone who likes setting goals but I don’t like that being my only metric of success. These prompts are to be used as a check-in, not a metric. Enjoy!
3 years ago, my boyfriend woke me up to watch the sunrise while on a trip to Duluth. We drove to a nearby beach and wandered around the ice, taking pictures of all the beautiful colors reflecting on the lake. I turned around and he asked me to marry him. It feels like forever ago and yesterday at the same time. You are simply the best, Jordan. Thanks for asking me to be your wife.
Thank you for following along. Go buy yourself something. Hug a tree. I love you.
Missed last week’s newsletter? Check it out here!