Loving every day by loving the ordinary in February
February doesn’t announce itself loudly.
It arrives quietly, asking less of us than other months — fewer plans, fewer declarations, fewer expectations. And yet, it carries its own invitation: to pay attention. To care for the everyday moments that make up our lives. To choose love in small, ordinary ways.
One of the books I return to often this time of year is Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It reminds me that love isn’t reserved for milestones or special occasions — it lives in the texture of daily life.
As the author so beautifully quoted, Martha Beck:
“The only thing you must do to live a deeply romantic life is to base every decision you make on love: self-love; love of others; love of ideas, activities, and places; love of smells, tastes, sights, sounds, and textures. Living this way brings romance into the smallest, most ordinary moments and leads to many large and extraordinary ones.”
That way of living is what inspired February’s Loving the Ordinary list — a seasonal practice of choosing attention, care, and rhythm in the everyday moments that already exist.
Editor’s Note
This post serves as our current updated February Loving the Ordinary List — a seasonal invitation to notice, practice, and return to what matters most in the everyday moments of winter.
While the Loving the Ordinary practice has evolved over the years, this blog remains the home for February’s list, and the ways we carry it into daily life.
What is Loving the Ordinary?
Loving the Ordinary is a simple practice of noticing what’s already in our lives — caring for your home, yourself, your community** and your daily living with intention rather than urgency.
There’s nothing to complete—just small ways to notice life and live more deliberately inside ordinary days.
** Note – “Community” I use that word to reference all those people in our lives. A word for our family, those we consider family, friends, neighbors, and those we nod and say ‘hello’ to as we take our morning walks. These people who add beautiful colors to our lives are Our Community.
February’s Loving the Ordinary List
- Splurge on new bedding that you will love sleeping in. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet and the more likely it is to wear well, even softening over time. Good sheets range from 200 to 800, although you’ll occasionally see numbers over 1,000. Try a silk pillowcase for the beauty benefits of reduced friction on skin or hair, helping prevent irritation or damage. It is said to be less drying on skin and hair. It states that silk pillowcases help to stop wrinkles. Learn to fold the fitted sheet on YouTube.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor for a check-up – this is American Heart Month.
- Google some statistics on the competing teams for the Super Bowl; go to a party or a sports bar and cheer loudly.
- Cook up a large pot of homemade soup (February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day) and have the neighbors over for a potluck dinner on a weeknight.
- Dress for the day, wearing pink and red together (check out Pinterest for ideas)
- Investigate lower-cost ways to view movies. One way is to go to the public library and rent a romantic or romantic comedy movie – Valentine’s Day with Julia Roberts, Any Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan Movie, the Notebook, Lady and the Tramp, or Chocalat.
- Visit a greenhouse and purchase an orchid for your nightstand. In addition, learn how to grow it.
- Create valentines for the special people you hold dear and who have touched your heart this past year; write them a “Love Letter,” including one to yourself. Share with them your love.
- Make time to give yourself or get a Valentine’s red or pink manicure (extra points for a pedicure – spoil yourself)
- Bake a heart-shaped red velvet cake or make a Texas sheet cake and cut it into heart shapes when you serve it.
- Purchase a new heart-healthy cookbook. Try recipes from it for dinner, to pack a nutritious lunch, blend a smoothie, and create snacks (here are a few of my favorite cookbooks)
- Celebrate Mardi Gras with a bright-colored statement or beaded necklace, or at least celebrate Fat Tuesday with a paczki doughnut.
- Purchase a white noise machine or download an app to help improve your rest and sleep.
- Give yourself a facial massage (find a YouTube video for a how-to)
- Buy a box of chocolates to share with someone or the entire office; better yet, learn to make truffles ( a great and easy way to know how to temper chocolate)
- Wear red lipstick – go and find your shade of “red.”
- Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th (Here is a list of ideas)
- Practice self-love and compliment yourself; make a list; don’t criticize yourself
- Check your tire pressure and treads. Get out your car manual for more information if it is cold weather. Read up on how to change a flat tire.
- Go outside, hike/snowshoe/cross-country ski for movement for your heart, and to enjoy a winter afternoon.
- Organize your lingerie drawer and replace worn items. Purchase something new for yourself.
- Sign up to Learn to administer CPR to adults and children
- Romance is a daily ritual; for instance, light candles when getting ready for work, a china cup for coffee, a single rose on the dining room table, or anything you have been saving for a special occasion
- Download a free meditation or breathing app to help take care of your heart and relieve stress
- Rearrange your bedroom and make it a place for restoration, peace, and romance
- Learn to say “I love you” in another language, and sign language counts
- Take dance lessons: waltz, tango, belly
- Explore a new area of town and find a new favorite coffee shop, deli, or thrift shop.
- Extra day this month – Do something new you have always wanted to try. This day won’t come around again for four more years.
A Place to Begin
If the idea of loving your ordinary moments speaks to you, you’re welcome to begin here.
You can join the Carefully Curated Life email list to receive a simple seasonal inspiration list with ideas to carry this practice through the year and to receive our weekly newsletter.
→ Sign up for the Loving the Ordinary List
If You’d Like More Inspiration This February
For those who want to enjoy February more intentionally, the February Heart-Driven Life eBook gathers this list alongside reflections, journaling prompts, activities, and ideas for shaping your days and home during the month.
It’s available as a companion to support your intentional living journey.
→ Explore the February Heart-Driven Life eBook
A Lovely Way to Keep Track
Some ladies enjoy jotting down notes as they practice Loving the Ordinary — a line or two each day about what they noticed or tried.
The Curated Life Journal was designed for that kind of quiet reflection, if you enjoy keeping life and memories on paper.
Closing Reflection
February doesn’t ask us to do more.
It asks us to choose differently — to love our days as they are, to care for what’s already present, and to let ordinary moments inspire us with new ideas.
If you’ve read this far, I hope you find one small idea here that stays with you this month.
Enjoy this post? Feel free to save it or pin it for later — and if you’d like, share one way you’re loving your February in the comments.
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