08/02/26
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
Of all the feelings, gratitude is the one that speaks most to my heart. When life feels overwhelming or heavy, I’ve learned that stepping back from the noise and simply being present, right where I am, is where gratitude takes root. It grounds me in ways nothing else does.
This quote stayed with me as I was creating this month’s Notes. Sitting at my laptop, at that familiar little bistro table tucked into our spare room, I notice the sunshine pouring into the house after a couple of weeks of heavy rain. The quiet of it all made me think about how easily we forget to be grateful—not because there’s nothing to be thankful for, but because we move through days too quickly to notice what is already here.
Gratitude, I’ve come to learn, is less about changing our circumstances and more about changing the way we see them. It’s in appreciating where we are that I find myself at most peace.
February feels like the month of newness. It’s more like a shift you sense before you can name it. Winter begins to loosen its hold, spring waiting just as the edges. Here in southern Greece, this is when orange are at their best, ripened by cold nights and generous rain (and we’ve had plenty of it this year). The days have stretched a little longer. The light lingers. There’s a subtle excitement in the air.
I find myself thinking ahead in small, simple ways—a bit of garden planning taking shape in my mind. Amaranth greens. Cherry tomatoes. Cucumbers. Wild flowers for the bees. The promise of warmer-weather meals feels closer than it did just weeks ago. But before any of that can begin, there’s tending to do. We’re in the early stages of the season, which means pruning rose bushes and by the end of the month, turning our attention to the trees. Our garden space asks for care before it gives anything back. Preparation first, beauty later.
With February comes the rhythm of carnival celebrations and Easter already feels close enough to shape the weeks ahead. Our garden is where we gather and with Easter arriving earlier this year, everything feels slightly moved up—the work, the anticipation. It feels like our hands will be full, in the best possible way.
Lately
Weekly meet-ups with friends have given winter evenings a whole new meaning. The act of getting dressed up, meeting for wine and dinner has reshaped my weeks. It’s become midweek break I look forward to—a little reset where we linger, laugh and talk about all the the girl things. Highly recommend making space for this kind of ritual with friends.
I’ve also been moving with more intention lately. Strength training three times a week, paying closer attention to protein meals, sleep and recovery has been something I’m more mindful of. My goal is to find my rhythms again instead of rushing results. Holding myself accountable to caring for my body with the same steadiness I give to everything else.
Food has become more thoughtful too. Mornings especially. Breakfast now seems to ask for more with a teenage boy at the table. I’ve been toying with the idea of Gwyneth Paltrow’s “boyfriend breakfast” becoming a thing. Not so much on her recipes but more on the act of creating a simple, nourishing breakfast made with a bit more care. That’s what I’m striving for! Because let’s be honest, although a Tuscan inspired high protein sausage, white bean, spinach, cheery tomatoes and egg skillet breakfast sounds absolutely divine, it isn’t a teenager’s choice of breakfast.
Small shifts. Nothing drastic. Just a little alignment with what feels supportive, grounding and sustainable right now.
Listening | Reading | Watching
Mel Robbins has been my go-to podcast listen. This episode in particular has lined up all the episodes I’ll be listening to. I also really enjoy listening to Matthew McConaughey on this one.
I’ve been diving deeper into books and movies. I’ve been especially drawn to adaptations—seeing stories come to life on screen is such a treat. I absolutely love The Lost Bus and The Thursday Murder Club and I’m eagerly waiting the new Tv series Love Story (John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette) and on the reading front, I’ve been drawn to classic reads so with the movie coming out, I’m currently reading Wuthering Heights.
From the Inbox
I shared a question box in Stories and loved hearing from you! Thank you for showing up so thoughtfully and inviting these kinds of conversations. It’s one of my favourite parts of sharing online!
Here are a few questions that came in.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’d give to someone for living more intentionally?
Insert a moment where you slow down even just for a few minutes, let go of the constant rush whenever you can, whatever “needs” to be done can wait a few minutes more, take a breather, exhale
Q: Morning coffee or evening wine?
Both…depending on the mood!
Q: What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I’m a weeper! I’m Graham (Jude Law) from The Holiday!
Q: Any tips for creating a beautiful home?
Keep it simple, surround yourself with things that spark joy. A good place to start is Pinterest—make a board and save images of home decor you gravitate towards, it gives lots of insight on the style and the things you’re drawn to.
Thank you so much for being here! More to come soon!