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These February reflections are part of a monthly practice of noticing what each season asks of us.
What does February ask of us?
In this article, I share how February urges us to slow down, find joy in simple tasks, embrace the garden’s quiet stirrings, and care for body, mind, and soul as we prepare for spring.
In January, I still experience the aftermath of Christmas with its festivity and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the beginning of the New Year. But February? February makes me restless and sometimes a bit depressed. I yearn to go outside again without several layers of thick clothing – to walk in warm sunshine again. Instead, here in Bavaria, it’s wet, foggy and bleak outside, and it feels as if winter will never end. February is not my favourite month.
I feel a bit like a seed that’s been buried in the soil. The seedling has just broken through the hard outer shell of the seed in search of light and life – only to discover that it’s still surrounded by darkness. That isn’t quite true, of course – there is light up there, and it’s just a little way to reach it.
When I feel my mood drop in February, and the late-winter blues try to kick in, I take a look at the calendar: Candlemas, which we celebrate on February 2nd, marks the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox. That means winter is officially half over! Although it’s still some way to go, spring is near.
So, why not embrace that short time before we can go out again and dig in our garden soil without wearing a down jacket by finishing “winter work” and preparing for spring?
The garden is dormant.
But wait – is the garden truly dormant?
The garden in February has many faces. One day, it can be buried under a thick blanket of snow, sleeping deeply and peacefully.
Practically overnight, however, all that ice and snow can melt, leaving a mud bath. And sometimes, the sun comes out, and we hope that spring has finally arrived – only to discover the next morning that it has snowed again.
While it may still be too early to dig in the dirt yet, there are still some things we can do in our gardens, like pruning or building a bird feeder.
Looking for gentle February garden projects – small ways to prepare while you wait? Here’s a list of garden tasks for February.
Also, it’s time to sow some vegetables indoors for the upcoming season. It’s not the same as actually working outside, but still a wonderful way to give our garden a good head-start. If you want to learn what vegetables you can seed-start now, check out my complete February seed-starting guide.
No matter the weather, we can still take strolls through nature and watch out for those tiny indicators of change. There is one place in the woods near where I live where snowdrops grow. Once a week, I check to see if they’ve emerged yet. And, oh, how gorgeous they are and so strong! Braving the winds, snow and rain and still blooming happily, whispering about the promises of Spring.
If bravery were a flower…
Later in February, we may even discover crocuses, which add colourful dots to the otherwise still colourless garden. It’s a bit like nature wants to contribute to Carnival season.
February Traditions, Celebrations & Seasonal Joy
But February is a month of transition and shows us that it holds both stillness and celebration at once.
It’s high-carnival season in February, with balls, parades and parties of all kinds. As an introvert, these events have always been too loud, crowded and chaotic for me, and I never liked being part of them. What I do like, however, are the yummy treats like Krapfen and Küchle that we eat during that time. It’s one of the few February traditions that I love to keep up!
And then, there’s Valentine’s Day. Even if you’re not into that whole hearts-and-flowers extravaganza, you can still have a nice evening with people you love. Who says Valentine’s Day is only for couples? Invite some friends over and have a good time.
Which you can do at any given time, by the way. You don’t need a special occasion to meet with people. After my retreat in January, where I took my alone-time to recharge my batteries, I can feel myself becoming more social again in February. If you’re feeling the same way, just get out there or invite some friends over; it’s always good to be surrounded by loved ones.
Spring Cleaning, Decluttering & Seasonal Reset in February
The word “February” comes from the Roman “Februum”, which means “purification”. While the Romans had their own purification rituals in mind, the concept appeals to me in a different way. Tidying up, throwing out things that no longer feel part of me and thus creating space for something new is just what I need right now.
By February 2nd, all Christmas decor has to be gone. Although I like our flat to be festively decorated, I now enjoy the minimalist, clean look without dry fir needles, golden baubles and paper stars.
The pantry is an example of what I usually tackle at the beginning of the year. I take everything out, wipe the shelves and sort it back in. That way, I can make sure that all my food is within its best-before date, and I don’t forget anything I ever bought and stashed away hurriedly. Here’s my complete guide to pantry organisation and rotation.
I also finish up craft projects like that shawl I started to knit shortly after Christmas, and which sadly lies in one corner of the couch right now, looking at me with reproachful stitches. I want to finish it before the end of the month, when I know I’ll be busy outdoors.
Self-Care in February: Winter Mindfulness, Movement & Nourishment
Before diving into specific practices, there’s one crucial mindset shift that makes everything else possible: accepting winter.
There comes a time, usually around the beginning of February, when I become restless and frustrated that it’s still cold and unwelcoming outside, and it still gets dark too soon, and everything just feels grey and stagnant.
However, when I reach the point where I can accept that winter will last a little while longer, I start feeling more peaceful again. Like the little seedling that’s still buried in the soil, I also need to go on to eventually break through and see the sun again.
Stillness doesn’t mean stagnation.
Although we can’t see a shoot yet, the roots are growing. Self-care now builds a base for our strength in spring.
So I try using the time in my favour, not against it.
February Self-Care for Body…
Spring cleaning is not only meant for our houses. While in January I enjoyed staying at home in “Gemütlichkeit”, I feel the need to move again in February. The walks I take get longer, and I also start doing light workouts again, which are not too exhausting but let me break a sweat. Sometimes I do Yoga and boy, have I gotten stiff!
After training, I enjoy treating my body with a homemade peeling or scrubbing it with this chestnut peeling soap, for example. A thick slather of shea butter and almond oil keeps my now stronger (ha!) and more flexible (well, a little more flexible at least!) body smooth and moisturised.
Like the seedling needs nutrients, I love nourishing my body by eating warming food in February, like roasted root vegetables, potato soup, or a hearty stew. Also, citrus fruits are in season now, and besides being delicious, they add a lovely brightness to the kitchen.
…for Mind…
Although the days get longer by the, well, day, it still gets dark rather early, and sometimes it seems to be one long, dull night due to fog and mist. On those days, I love to cuddle into my blanket on the couch, get myself a hot chocolate with homemade elderflower syrup and a good book. Right at the moment, I have several books on my nightstand and the coffee table. Depending on my mood, I grab either the cosy crime, the romance novel or some gardening book to beat the winter blues.
To keep my mind entertained, I now love to learn and do something new. Whether it’s trying a new recipe, learning about gardening concepts or reading up on Franz Schubert’s “Winterreise” doesn’t really matter. The main point is to use the little grey cells and create something new, or, to stick to the seedling metaphor, turn towards the light, even on grey days.
… and for Soul
February bears the energy of renewal. So, while it was too early in January to go all New Year’s Resolutions, now is a good time to plan the next few months. I try setting myself mindful intentions and goals without going all busy about them. It’s still time for planning. The transition will take place next month.
While January was all about me-time and wintering, I increasingly enjoy being with people again. I love to have people over, be it for a cup of coffee (and cake of course!), a late Sunday morning breakfast or a home-cooked dinner.
Gathering with loved ones nourishes all three: food for the body, interesting conversation for the mind, and love and appreciation for the soul.
The beauty of February
February, with all its facets – quiet melancholy, flickers of hope, growing frustration – returns every year. But instead of seeing it as an obstacle, let’s accept it for what it is: a deep breath before we dive into the hustle and bustle of spring.
Even though we don’t see growth, the seedling has already broken its shell and is growing roots. Soon enough, we’ll be able to watch it break through the soil, stretching for the light.
Every winter eventually comes to an end, and the sooner we realise that, the more peaceful we can transition into spring.
For me, reading, walking, snuggling up on cold nights, but also tidying, organising and preparing are great ways to integrate both the stillness of winter and the restlessness of the upcoming spring.
What better way to let winter end on its own terms, knowing that spring, with the promise of movement and emergence, lies just ahead?
In the mood for garden planning? Here are all the posts about gardening: Gardening – seasonalsimplelife.com
If you’re interested in more cooking and baking recipes, look here: Recipes – seasonalsimplelife.com
Many (but not all) of the recipes there are authentically Bavarian.
For homemade bodycare articles, look right here: Home and Body – seasonalsimplelife.com
And if you want to learn more about different preserving techniques, this is your site: Preserving – seasonalsimplelife.com