Loving Every Day by Loving the Ordinary in February
One of the Books on my Bookshelf I take out often and read is ‘Romancing the Ordinary’ by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It inspires me to love every day of the month. In her book, she quotes 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.”
This quote resonates with me for loving every day, and I hope it inspires you. It encouraged me to write February’s Loving the Ordinary List.
February’s List for Daily Loving the Ordinary
- 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 will wear well, even soften, 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 less friction on skin or hair to prevent irritation or damage. It is said to be less drying on skin and hair. It states 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 on 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.
More Ways of to Enjoy the Loving the Ordinary Lists
Additionally, if you want more ideas for inspiration, you need to cultivate, curate, and love the ordinary days, check out:
- First thing to remember is to join our private Facebook page.
- Secondly, get our weekly newsletter by signing up here, and when you do, you’ll receive a download with ideas for Loving the Ordinary all year.
- Thirdly, sign up for our free monthly CCL (A Carefully Curated Life) Book Club. We are meeting on Zoom; please join us.
- Fourthly, here are two blog posts to read and learn more about the Loving the Ordinary lists: The 5 Criteria to Make a Loving the Ordinary List and Curating Life with Loving the Ordinary Lists.
- Lastly, purchase our monthly A Carefully Curated Life eBooks that include these Loving Lists and that month’s themes for journal prompts, activities, and a specific room in your home. Check out the February Heart-driven Life eBook, it’s part of the Winter Series eBooks.
Enjoy this post? Please Pin it! Let me know your favorite tip from today’s post. And please comment with YOUR favorite ways to celebrate February
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