T.C.L.C - A Love Letter to February

February often gets overlooked. It’s the shortest month of the year, squeezed between the cold of January and the promise of spring in March. A stepping stone waiting to be jumped across, with very few people stopping to admire the view on the way. Yet, February holds a unique charm that deserves more attention. It is a month filled with renewal, connection, and a celebration of love in many forms. We felt February deserved a little love letter of it's own, inviting you to appreciate its quiet beauty and the special moments it offers.

February’s most famous feature is of course Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to love and affection. Nowadays, this has become a commercial pushing point, a chance for profit on mass production. It is refreshing to see a slight shift around us with people moving towards handmade, one off gifts but the fight against low quality, fast commercialism as the main source of products and produce (on the farm we're more of the everything in moderation mindset... although some things really don't have a place in our opinion, but that's for another day) is a battle we face consistently. However, the month’s significance goes beyond just one day. It is a time when people pause to express feelings that often go unspoken. The cold weather outside encourages us to seek warmth in relationships, whether romantic, familial, or friendships. Again, the season is guiding us, we just need to notice the little shifts and we're on our way to a more considered lifestyle.

This month invites us to slow down and reflect on what love means in our lives. It’s a reminder that love is not just grand gestures but also small acts of kindness, understanding, and presence. It's taking time to nourish your body and mind, making sure you take time outside each day. It's contacting a friend you've not spoken to for months because life got in the way (let's normalise this, life is full on. Too often we are shown these ideas of connection meaning a constant, but sometimes this isn't attainable. Your tribe will understand this and probably feel the same way. Some of your closet friends might be miles away and only spoken to once a month. There's no right or wrong). Just as importantly though, love can be saying 'no' to protect yourself. It's taking moments to be a little selfish, filling your own cup as they say. You must fill yours for it to then over flow to others.

February can also be a good time to refocus on family, we've had Christmas and suddenly families can be spread far and wide again having done the annual visit. For us, our family unit is small but perfectly formed, we're choosey who enters and unapologetic about it. So, no matter the size of your family and again, this can come in many shapes and sizes (just you and the dog... perfect. Parents, Aunties, Uncles and sixteen cousins... go for it), reconnect, unplug and slow down. Enjoy a seasonal meal together or an unplugged night, maybe even a Sunday stroll taking in the essence of February by physically walking with it.

The Beauty of Winter Romance - A True Love Letter to February

While February is often cold and grey, it holds a unique kind of beauty. Snow-covered landscapes (I have to stick my head out of the window every morning to soak up the snow topped mountains of Eyri), frosty mornings, and early sunsets create a cosy atmosphere perfect for intimate moments and simplicity. Warm drinks by the fire at home or the local pub, chilly evening walks under the stars and moon, blankets and books, buds and birds on the feeder. These simple pleasures make February a month to cherish, especially for those who appreciate the quiet side of romance, romanticise life a little bit... go on, we dare you to try it, you'll find something, even if it's tiny to start with, that really is beautiful in each day.

The Promise of Growth and Renewal

Though February is often seen as the end of winter, it also signals the approach of spring. This transition offers hope and the chance to start fresh. The month encourages us to nurture relationships and personal growth on our own timeline, preparing us for brighter days ahead. Like the trees around us, slowly budding and soaking up the nutrients ready to flourish, not to be rushed as it could hinder the result. Trusting that when they bloom and blossom, it's going to look flippin' lovely!

By embracing February’s quiet romance, we open ourselves to new possibilities and deeper connections, not only with other people, but with ourselves, the seasons and the countryside around us.

February may be short, but its impact is lasting. It invites us to slow down, appreciate love in all its forms, and find warmth in the coldest days. This month holds a special place in the calendar, reminding us that love is a daily choice and a powerful force, cheesy (like full blown stinking bishop cheesy...) but at the end of the day, true.

The Considered Living Collective Snail Mail Subscription

February's edition of the T.C.L.C Snail Mail subscription is a beautiful one, highlighting this idea of connection, renewal led by the nature around us and the importance of finding a sustainable speed through the year with self care and considered moments. If you want to sign up to the Collective to receive February's edition (do so before the 15th of February), you can sign up here for just £10 a month. We hope you join us for some considered living inspiration straight from the Evans & Moose farm.

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