I have this folder on my desktop that’s called my Dream Board. Every time I come across a quote or an image that fits into how I see myself living, I add it. Every once in a while, when I’m feeling like I need a reminder of how I got here or where I’m going, I sift through the images. There are some from 10 years ago, 8 years ago, 2 years ago and just last week. It’s a compilation of all the varieties and simplicities I’ve craved. Spaces, food, people, thoughts, words, floors, trees, room to breathe, a place to create – the whole shebang.

Without saying anything about anything, or anything about something. I’ll just say this.

We need this.

Or maybe it’s only me that needs this (but I really don’t think that’s the case).

February (to me) is the month of love.

My great grandmother was named Valentina because she was born on St.Valentine’s Day.

February holds St.Agatha’s Day.

It’s the month of the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia that averts evil spirits and purifies, releasing health and fertility to everyone.

It holds memories of people writing and calling and reaching out after long periods of silence.

It holds written words and visual replays of YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU, RIGHT?

February gives me faith and hope and fills me with all the good stuff.

(Plus it always lets me have a bowl of cinnamon hearts out for everyone to dive into.)

To celebrate the month of love I’ve compiled a list with 30 ways we can slow down. And care for us or the ones we love. 30 ways we can replenish ourselves. Because I don’t know about you, but I feel worn down. And a bit exhausted from being surrounded by so much feeling. Henry David Thoreau once said there is no remedy for love, but to love more. [ I know February has 28 days but I figure there might be a few things you aren’t up for and my hands kept typing.]

So here’s to being totally 100% unabashedly in love with love.

Let’s fill ourselves up from the outside in. And from the inside out.

Let’s sleep. And soak. And nourish ourselves this month.

These will hopefully help you let go of what you don’t need. Of the people who don’t make you feel worthy. Of the stuff that makes you feel cluttered. Of the dust and the bunnies hiding under your bead. It’s time to release it all and start fresh.

*I’ll be posting these on Instagram throughout the month but feel free to take this list as it is and implement one thing each day as it works for you, your family and your life.*

1. Stay offline for one whole day.

2. When someone speaks to you or shares something with you – listen first and don’t react. Think before you speak and when you do speak, speak respectfully and from a place of knowledge or love.

3. No complaint day [ find positivity where you feel only negativity lives ].

4. Identify a priority for the day and see it through [it could be as simple as HAVE FUN].

5. Create and follow an early morning and before bed ritual.

6. Evaluate your commitments and decide where you need to say no instead of yes.

7. Clean out your closet and donate / give to a consignment store what you know you won’t wear [take the opportunity to pair down, create a uniform and wear the things that are made well, well loved or help you love + embrace your body].

8. Practice single tasking.

9. Unfollow and unfriend those that make you second guess yourself or compare yourself.

10. Go for a walk in nature alone.

11. Go bare faced or bare foot.

12. Leave an entire day unplanned.

13. Identify one thing that stresses you out on a regular basis and suggest a thought as to how to counteract it.

14. Clear out the stacks of papers / magazines / bills around your home. Throw out what you don’t need and organize what you do.

15. Release one goal that isn’t attainable right now [this may seem counter intuitive but some things just aren’t meant to happen “right now” and add a lot of self induced guilt to build up].

16. When you’re not using your phone put it away where you can’t see it, on silent. No tables, no counter tops, not beside your keyboard. Put it away.

17. Go one day without buying anything – see what goodness you can create out of what you already have.

18. Make your bed every day.

19. No TV / movies / Netflix for a day. Pick up that book you’ve been meaning to.

20. Identify what steps you need to take to learn a new skill and begin!  [ sign up for school, pick up the pen and write, go to that art class]

21. Sit and breathe for 5 minutes – in for 4 breaths, out for 4 breaths. Put a timer on so you know when you’re done ( this helps you to focus at the beginning I think at least).

22. Watch a movie that makes you feel. My pick right now is Captain Fantastic. I could watch it over and over again.

23. Plan your breakfast the night before so it’s ready to make when you get up ( for example, overnight soaked oats!)

24. Sleep in total darkness – phone out of the room plugged in somewhere else.

25. Set a timer one day for one activity  / task / chore you know you need to do – put some music on and give yourself the time to actually do it. When the timers done, be done with it! Feel good about accomplishing it and checking it off your list!

26. Clear out your inbox – delete emails – unsubscribe to emails you don’t want – get rid of what’s in your draft box.

27. Spend a day getting rid of dust bunnies and anything else thats accumulated in your home.

28. Create your own dream board.

29. Social media detox for 1 day, 5 days, every other day or all 28 days.

30. Splurge on a bottle of wine, pack of beer, nice cheese, delicious dinner out, sauna, manicure / pedicure – treat yourself!

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We’re going to be doing another 21 day Holistic Eating and Living Journey soon so stay in touch for more information!