something good is coming
2025: a play in 12 acts
January was so long that I forgot it was February already. New York has been colder than ever, the news is getting bleaker by the minute, and January unfurled itself as slow as possible to make the whole thing even crueler. If you couldn’t already tell from that opening sentence: I’m feeling a little pessimistic at the moment. This morning I saw a post from friend and artist Katie Benn that reminded me that things won’t always be this way:
A few months back, when I was feeling on top of the world, I reminded myself that feeling was temporary. If you’re feeling wonderful right now you should know that too. I don’t say that to bring anyone down, I say it because it’s true. The natural order of things is a pendulum swing, and it’s comforting to know whatever ‘this’ is, ‘that’ will be different.
Back in the summer I was writing more than ever, and i felt this tickling in the back of my brain that said good things were happening soon. Feeling that good things are coming can be even more exciting than when good things come. Hope is a precious resource worth clinging to. I took advantage of the motivation I had at that time because I knew it would leave me again, and I wanted to soak it up for all it had. Winter came and drained my spark, but spring isn’t far away. Like Katie Benn said there is always a way.
February: Charm
Being ready when the luck happens, romanticizing your life, feeling feelings
Take note of your gifts. You don’t need to literally count your blessings, but be observant of them. Find things in your day that you appreciate, zoom out and think of the pillars that support you through life. Know that you’re being looked out for always because you look out for yourself.
Cry it out. I’m not sure what’s going on with you personally, but if you feel a little bit sad…that’s completely fine. Cry it out doesn’t have to be a literal cry it can be a scream into your pillow. It can be a fervent journal entry no one ever sees. It can be yelling into the microphone at karaoke with your friends. Channel the emotion and put it somewhere other than your own head.
Cast yourself as the romantic lead. Okay I’m stealing this from my 2024 February challenge but it is the most effective way to beat the winter blues. Lean on your charms, wander around a bookstore, invent a reason to say hi to someone in the elevator. Best case scenario something cool and interesting happens to you because of it, worst case scenario you have fun pretending you’re starring in a movie.
Craft something. I am a digital girl and I love a digital collage, but what if you spent less time on your phone and more time touching actual materials? Scissors, paper, yarn, glue guns, whatever kind of project you’ve been wanting to do. You can make it a craft night and invite some friends, or tuck into an afternoon of solo crochet. You’re going to love having something of your own you can touch and hold.
Turn your face to the sun. I mean that literally if it’s winter where you are right now. If you have to be outside find the pockets of sunlight. All of us should do it figuratively, though. If you’re feeling something pull you to the dark try and turn your cheek to sunlight. Things are possible. Life is moving. Sun is somewhere.
⊹₊ Keepsakes from January ₊ ⊹
I’ve become a planner girl thanks to Catbird x Astier Villatte. My scrambled brain needs things written down in multiple places so I have this physical planner, a whiteboard weekly calendar in my kitchen, and a google calendar. Even with all that I still have to search my texts ‘february 4th’ to see if anyone made plans with me then.
I’m obsessed with the format, but what moved me to purchase was this post from Catbird showing how their illustrator uses hers. I love the Country Bunny and can get on board for any organizational method that involves doodling. I’m adorning mine in lots of stickers.
I’ve done several collage nights this month, January is the collage-iest time of the year. My greatest triumph was finding a Loewe magazine with a picture of Josh O’Connor describing his ideal hug…immediately went to the moodboard. By the way I’m not sure if it’s true in other cities but Challengers is coming back to AMC theaters for one week in February?? Happy Valentine’s Day to me.
I’m also holding onto the snow days January brought. They are the only bright spot against the bitter drab weather. If you work from home and it’s snowing outside you are legally obligated to set your slack status to ‘🥗’ and spend your lunch crunching on some new fallen snow.
Not technically a Keepsake because I gave it away but this jacket from my Nuuly…nearly everybody in my life told me to keep it, but I exercised extreme restraint and gave it back. If you love something let it go, etc. Not at all sponsored by anybody, especially not Nuuly, but if you haven’t tried it you can use my link and we both get some $$ off.
I’ve been trying to watch less television I’ve seen a million times and more movies, and oh my god have I been on a hot streak. My friend showed me Cleo from 5 to 7 and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Paris in the 1960s, written and directed by a woman. Incredible fashion and delicious existentialism all tied up in a perfect bow. Add it to your watchlist if you haven’t already seen it, if you like Keepsake I feel you will love it.
February Minigame
Challenging all of us to pick a color that is our ‘aha this is sending me a signal’ color. For reasons soon to be revealed I’m going to choose purple. Every time you see this color out in the world take a picture and save it to an album titled ‘signs from the universe’ in your camera roll. At the end of the month you’ll have a little collection you can reflect on.
xo,
Julianna
I love the mini game!
your writing is always such a gift :')<3