February Is the Longest Month (Here’s How to Survive It)

First, an apology.

It has been over a year since I last wrote a blog post. I would love to tell you this was due to something impressive like writing a novel, traveling the world, or being “very busy and important.” Unfortunately, none of that happened.

Instead, I was:

• Thinking about writing

• Opening a blank document and immediately closing it

• Convinced I had nothing interesting to say

• Convinced I had too much to say

• Waiting for the “right time”

• Existing in a low-grade state of burnout

• Occasionally forgetting I even had a blog

• And, minor detail, I unexpectedly became a mom!

Not to a human. To a French bulldog whose original owner was deported by ICE.

So yes — life took a left turn.  Somewhere between adjusting to motherhood (tugboat powered snoring, judgmental flatulence, and emotional manipulation via large eyes and that one adorable floppy ear), general burnout, and the passage of time behaving aggressively, the blog quietly… well...stalled.

Which brings me to February.

If there were ever a month that perfectly embodies disruption, exhaustion, and “how did we get here?” energy, it’s February.  If there’s one month that feels spiritually aligned with not having your life together, it’s February.

February has only 28 days and yet somehow lasts longer than most relationships. 

The holidays are over. Your New Year motivation has filed a missing person's report. Spring is teasing you like an emotionally unavailable ex. And somehow, it’s still dark at 6 p.m. Rude.

If you feel tired, cranky, stiff, or deeply unimpressed by everything — congrats. You are experiencing February correctly.

Here are some rules I've just made up to help us survive this brutal final trimester of Winter:

Rule #1: Lower expectations immediately

February is not for glow-ups. It’s for bare minimum compliance.

Did you:

• Wake up?

• Eat something?

• Put on real pants (optional)?

That counts. Gold star. Go lie down.

Rule #2: Move your body like you mean well, not like you’re training for the Olympics

Your hips are tight. Your back is mad. Your soul is cold.

You don’t need CrossFit. You need:

• A short walk

• A stretch that feels illegal but good

• Standing up every once in a while

February movement is about circulation, not punishment.

Rule #3: Stop pretending this is your most productive era

It’s not. And that’s fine.

February is a maintenance month. Keep the lights on. Answer the important emails. Let the rest emotionally fend for themselves.

Rule #4: Bribe yourself

February requires incentives.

Schedule tiny joys:

• A specific snack - perhaps Girl Scout cookies

• A show you refuse to binge - a slow burn

• A weekend nap you aggressively protect

• Planning something for March so your brain remembers that hope exists

Rule #5: Be nicer to your brain

Less sunlight messes with moods. That’s science.  I didn't just make that up.

Go outside when you can. Drink water. Stop doomscrolling at 11 p.m. Talk to a human. If you’re sad, irritated, or weird — you’re not broken. You’re seasonal.

And that’s it. 

Five rules. Because nothing needs more than five rules, especially not a month that already asks too much.

You don’t need to thrive in February. You just need to get through it — preferably wrapped in a blanket, mildly hydrated, and without making any major life decisions until at least March.

The good news

February ends. Every year. Without fail.

Hang in there. Spring is loading. 

Kimmie