a quick way to DO more

“If January is the month of change, February is the month of lasting change. January is for dreamers…February is for DOERS.” —Marc Parent

I discovered this quote a few days ago, and thought it was so timely. After taking a slow and steady pace in January, I’ve been feeling a renewed energy to DO. Make things happen for myself, home, and family. Move on a few ventures that have been brewing in conversations. Knock off what I realistically can in preparation for our move up North.

I’ll be honest, though. This first bit of February hasn’t been that productive. We just had five full days of school here (the week prior started with a snow day, then 4 consecutive 2-hour delay days…quite unusual and unexpected), so time was on my side. But my mental and emotional self wasn’t.

When this happens and, most importantly, when I’m aware of it happening, I know I need to make a Full. Stop. Because nothing productive or good can come when you’re mentally and/or emotionally distracted. It’s better to take FIVE minutes to sit with your thoughts and feelings, and work through what’s going on or what’s missing, than to push them off for “later”.

Taking a pause made me realize I hadn’t done what I normally do when a new month begins: a physical/emotional Check-In and a mental Brain Dump in my daily journal. The Check-In is a quick, honest way to track and stay in tune with your well-being. For instance, I have arthritis in my back, so noting where my pain is at and what I've been doing more of (i.e. physical therapy vs. prolonged sitting) helps me find patterns and areas for improvement. Writing down how I feel has also been incredibly eye-opening, not just for me to name but to help me (and my husband) make sense of why I feel how I do. It's like a safe, emotional release. Likewise, the Brain Dump quite literally takes a huge load off of your mind. It’s impossible to keep track of all the thoughts, ideas, and information that comes at us everyday. Offloading it on paper (or digitally) frees up sooo much mental capacity to reflect, process, and narrow down the things you want to do and make practical space in your life to DO them.

I’m glad I remembered and took a brief break to assess where I’m at inside. If you find yourself struggling to do more than you are, I highly recommend trying both right now! That simple monthly ritual has been serving me well since 2022, helping me stay mindful and equipped to make appropriate changes (i.e. ask for help, ask for space, delegate, decline, lower expectations). Tending to yourself first is like maintaining the invisible infrastructure—mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, aka MEP—supporting your home. When one or more of these are off, the whole home system doesn’t function as expected or as efficiently. Our bodies have their own “MEP” system—mental, emotional, physical—that works in a similar way. If your mind is overloaded, emotions backed up, or body is fatigued, any task is going to take more time and effort, and likely leave you feeling worse than before.

I’m also giving myself grace for not accomplishing more this past week. I do have a timeline for when some things need to happen, but wishing I did more when I wasn’t capable doesn’t help or change the past. Sometimes choosing to work with yourself is the better choice…the one that actually takes you further in what you wanna do and how you want to show up. Tomorrow is another day, another chance for the rest.

what do you want to DO this February?

This month is short, but fortunately, doesn’t hold the same pressure to make dramatic changes like January. February is quieter, gentler, hopeful. Falling between chilly winter and blooming spring. Devoted to love and acceptance. It’s a small but ideal window to revisit your 2026 goals, let go of what’s not working thus far, and softly reset for what is and what you, deep down, want to do and infuse yourself into.

Always,