Well, January is over already.
I’ve written about January many times over the years. Some years I am motivated to start the new year with goals, and some years I am exhausted and just want the world to stop spinning so I can take a much-needed break.
This year was an “I’m exhausted” January and I’ve given in to that. I’ve put rest into every little moment I can find in my life. I’ve read, napped, cooked whatever is in the pantry instead of shopping, skipped showers and make up, and let the house fall into chaos.
And, I’m still tired.
So, I’m really glad that February is coming. Is it my imagination or does February just seem like a gentle month?
Where I live, we have more sunny days in February. Just seeing the sun after the dark winter puts the hope of spring into my heart. It’s fun to take nature walks with the kids and look at all the buds on the trees and see the crocuses “croaking” as my husband likes to say. Garden catalogues start arriving in my mailbox and I let the kids pick out seeds and plan gardens.
Fresh flowers show up in stores in preparation for Valentine’s Day and I buy them for myself and fill my vases. My house may still be a mess, but the flowers fill me with happiness.
In February, I love to send cards to my friends. Those who are single or widowed especially need to know they are loved. I try to buy the most vintage-looking cards I can find to bring back the joy of getting valentine’s cards in school.
February also makes me want to be creative. From rubber stamping and collages to hand embroidery, anything quiet and peaceful renews me in a way nothing else can.
Did you know they’ve done studies that showed that pink is a calming color? I know it’s true for me. Being surrounded with all the reds and pinks in February makes me happy. Even when I was single and had no hope of ever finding a soulmate, the Valentine displays in stores made me smile.
I’m really easing into this new year, aren’t I? I focused on peace and rest in January and now in February I’m focusing on hope and joy. Gone are my old goals that are of this world (weight loss, a clean house, more money, etc.). My new goals of peace, rest, hope and joy may be harder to measure, but I’m happier with them.
So, if you need me, I’ll be over here smelling the flowers, embroidering, and ignoring my dusty furniture and dirty floors.
Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
