February has felt like a strange mix of momentum and stillness—a month of small achievements and moments of quiet, of pushing forward but also needing to pause. It started with a bit of a wake-up call regarding my health, which spurred me into action. The idea of becoming more active initially felt like a chore, but much to my surprise, I’ve actually been enjoying it. Our new Peloton and its app have been a real game-changer, helping me to find a rhythm in movement that I never quite managed before. It’s been empowering to feel stronger and more energized, even as I wrestle with the balance of pushing myself while also listening to my body.
A real milestone this month was Evelina’s ski trip with her school—her first time abroad without us. I was very blasé about her going away until the very last minute when I suddenly realised how much I was dreading her going – Rich ended up taking her to the drop off (at 1am!) while I twisted my hands at home. She had a great, if utterly exhausting, time, and while it was odd not having her here, it was wonderful to see her pictures and when she was home, hearing all her fun stories about her time on the slopes.
Looking ahead, we’ve been deep in holiday planning mode. Menorca is officially booked for the summer, and we’re shaping up more details for our Easter trip to Paris. It’s nice to have things to look forward to—little beacons of warmth and adventure ahead of us.
Despite February being a bit of a foggy month for me—between not feeling 100% and the general grey lull of winter—I’ve managed to lose myself in some excellent books. A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr was a particular highlight: gentle, poetic, and deeply contemplative. In contrast, The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was a completely different kind of pleasure—fast-paced, gripping, and just plain fun. It’s been good to have both kinds of reading experiences, suiting my varying moods throughout the month.
Creatively, I made significant progress on my new writing project – my children’s book set in Dartmoor about a girl witch who is just finding out about her power. Progress on anything else I have been meaning to do, though, been slow, not least because I keep wavering between needing to rest and feeling the itch to be productive. This push-and-pull has defined much of February—wanting to get things done but also feeling the need to simply be still.
As we step into March, I’m hoping for a little more clarity, a little more energy, and hopefully, the promise of spring bringing everything into sharper focus.
Notes From My Day 