February: What’s love got to do with it?
February is the shortest month of the year, but for many, it feels like the longest. We come down from the high of the holidays, and the days seem to begin before the sun rises, offering only fleeting moments of light before we’re cloaked in darkness by dinnertime. Depending on the weather, spring can feel like it’s still light years away. Meanwhile, grocery stores are flooded with heart balloons, flowers, and chocolates, accompanied by marketing messages pushing us to buy our way into proving our love. But the truth is, what we need most this month is not something from a store; it’s the time to slow down and reflect on how we are loving ourselves.
An etymological exploration reveals that February’s roots mean "feast of cleansing and purification." This month offers us the precious opportunity to clear out the clutter in our lives—both physical and emotional—creating space for new growth and vitality. In many ways, this act of cleansing is one of the most generous and radical acts of love we can offer ourselves and others. Nature invites us to show up with the grit and resilience needed to clear away our inner cobwebs, to shine a light on the darkest corners of our minds, and to purify them—one thought, one pattern, one belief at a time.
We are given a gift—time, space, and the invitation to lead with love through our willingness to release the baggage that keeps us from embracing life fully. Only then can we open our hearts wide, without reservation. Through mindful presence, we have the power to become love in action, radiating forgiveness, gratitude, connection, and empathy—not just for others, but for ourselves.
Every day, we have the chance to focus on organizing, labeling, and rewriting the stories we tell ourselves. With each gentle act of self-love, we clear the fog from our lenses and begin to see ourselves more clearly. The light of our essential beauty starts to shine through, beyond the judgments, shame, guilt, and limiting beliefs that have clouded our view.
At first glance, February can appear cold and dark. We could choose to end the story there. But February offers us more than that—it offers us an invitation to do the work. We can slow down, silence the noise, and practice radical self-love. We can show up for ourselves with deep compassion, allowing that love to radiate out. And next time we step outside, instead of seeing the barrenness of winter, we may notice the quiet beauty of Lenten roses blooming at our feet and hear February softly whisper, "You are loved more deeply than you could ever imagine. Keep the faith, Dear One, the best is yet to come"
LOVE BIG. LAUGH LOUD. HUG HARD. WRITE ON.
