How to Have the Coziest February
Warm food, comfort reads, Black joy, and turning towards each other this winter
It’s February, folks, and the seasonal depression plane has officially landed. I’m writing this at the tail end of a January that can only be described as rough. Between sickness, snow days, and a heartbreaking news cycle, my brain feels like it has a thousand tiny fires blazing, and I’ve only been given a squirt gun.
The ideas I’m sharing today are my attempt at making the most of my little squirt gun. They’re about embracing the tiny glimmers in the every day—the smell of a soup bubbling on the stove, the sun glinting off a fresh coating of snow. They’re about finding and sharing comfort, with yourself and with your neighbors. Turning toward each other is the best hack I have for surviving winter. Grab a tea (more on that later) and snuggle up for some warm February comfort.1
Make a big pot of soup to eat all week long.
These recipes will require your biggest Dutch oven, and will make enough soup to feed a small crowd or give you a week of warming lunches to look forward to. Increase the good vibes by channeling your inner witch. Stir dramatically! Season with flair! Lean over your cauldron to take in the magical smells. Then ask some friends to bring some bread and join you for dinner.
Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup- A tomato and red wine based soup that simmers for awhile and makes your house smell incredible.
Sweet Potato Sausage Kale Soup- An unexpectedly fantastic combo that’s creamy and comforting but includes enough veggies to make you feel virtuous.
Broccoli Cheese Soup- This one actually has some discernible veggies and tastes like real cheese, not gloop. It’s begging to be served in a bread bowl or alongside a crusty baguette.
Vegetable Soup with Ground Beef- I’m not a huge fan of tomato-y vegetable soups, but this light and brothy soup that’s finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar is totally my jam. It somehow feels hearty and fresh at the same time.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili- Ah, who doesn’t love a good set-it-and-forget it recipe? This one is best served with LOTS of fresh toppings: cilantro, sour cream, avocado, jalapeno slices, just throw all the green stuff at it to combat the winter drearies.
Read cozy books
To be honest, I read cozy books year round, but mid-winter is the time I am most drawn to comfort reading. For me, that equals cozy murder mysteries, lighthearted rom-coms, and found family tales.
For the ultimate bundled-up reading experience, I recommend this remote page turner for the Kindle, which allows you to keep both hands tucked under a blanket while you’re turning pages. It’s a game changer!
Clare Pooley (yes, all of them)- If you’re looking for heartwarming tales of found family and joyful rebellion, Clare Pooley is your girl.
Louise Penny (again, all of them)- No one can make murder cozy like Louise Penny. A small town Canadian setting, quirky neighbors and an inviting French bistro make these books some of my favorites for long winter nights.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches- A cozy romance with some magical realism. One of my favorite nervous-system regulators.
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry- Is there anything cozier than a book about books? This one, about a widowed bookstore owner in a small coastal town, is funny and tender and so so sweet.
A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting- I don’t normally read regency romances, but this is a perfectly delightful haters to lovers rom-com that explores themes of duty and the fierce protection of family, as well as the graying lines of “morality” in an inherently unjust society.
Wear the same emotional support sweater every day.
I highly recommend the blanket kimono from Natural Life and this midi-dress length full zip sweatshirt. It’s like a robe, but better. You can push up the sleeves since they have a cuff (no more soaking your robe while washing your hands), and the zipper means it stays closed!
Chain Drink Tea
Tis’ the season to keep the kettle on all day long. Pick a signature tea of February and sip on it all month long, or try out a new one each week. Even better, invite a friend to join you for a cozy tea session once a week. Here are a few of my favorite blends and recipes.
Hot Matcha Latte- This is my every day winter drink. The bright green color feels absolutely LIVE GIVING in the winter months. My favorite matcha comes from Ippodo.
Doodh Patti- This is a form of chai, but is less spicy and more creamy than the typical varieties you get at a coffee shop. It is the COZIEST drink.
Swan Dance Teas Magnolia Oolong- A gently floral and toasty tea that’s great with a little steamed milk.
No Joe Brew- If you like the taste of coffee, but it makes you jittery and anxious (oh, hi! It’s me!), this caffeine free tea is perfect for you. I also love the Warm + Immune blend from Highland Oak Farm.
Harney and Sons African Autumn- An herbal rooibos tea that you can drink all day long.
Cinnamon Latte- Not a tea person? I highly recommend these homemade cinnamon spiced lattes.
Give a Galentine’s Day Gift
Put together a little bundle of cozy favorites to give to one of your best gal friends. Think: a to-go mug of soup, a fancy new tea, cozy socks, a small vase of flowers, chapsticks, a candle, books, or a sweet treat. I love scouting the thrift store for cheap baskets and boxes to gift!
I also LOVE this idea that uses a recycled drink carrier for an affordable but lovely gift!
Read Stories of Black Joy.
One of the few things February has going for it is that it’s Black History Month!
I think many folks avoid reading Black stories because they fear they will be too heavy or too depressing. I want to be clear: we cannot grow in our understanding if we are unwilling to be uncomfortable. Our country’s history of enslavement and racism IS deeply disturbing, and we should still learn about it.
That said, if we’re only reading stories about Black pain and suffering, we’re missing out on a huge part of the Black experience. February is a great month to read some books that center Black joy, love, family, and healing. I have a few recs of my own, but I realized when I was writing that this is a hole in my own reading, so I’m also adding some books from this list to my February reading plans.
Here for It- I can only describe R. Eric Thomas’ writing as effervescent. His memoir is insightful and an absolute delight to read. I laughed so much!
Get a Life, Chloe Brown- Chloe is a chronically ill computer nerd who’s determined to shake up her life after almost (but not quite) dying. When she teams up with bad boy Red Morgan to complete her “Get a Life” list, things heat up fast. (Well, actually, things heat up slow, but then they’re quite spicy).
You Should See Me in A Crown- A warm YA novel with a classic underdog-runs-for-prom-queen plot and a sweet queer love story.
skin & bones- The discrimination our female lead, Lena, faces as a fat black woman are unique to her, but there are so many themes here that are universal: the struggles of aging, learning to be at peace with our bodies in a world dominated by diet culture, the bittersweet reality of having aging parents, navigating friendships and parenting and romantic partnerships with both boundaries and grace. It’s a really beautiful book told with a lot of care.
Oh, and if you haven’t watched Abbot Elementary yet, it is an excellent way to celebrate Black History Month AND enjoy some big belly laughs!
Join the Conversation
Tell me, what are you best cozy recs for surviving February? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Heads up, there are a few affiliate links in this email from Bookshop.org and (sigh) Amazon associates. Whenever possible, I try to link directly to small businesses, but there are a few Amazon specific recs in this email.
Thank you for the reminder to pay attention to the glimmers. The small, ordinary moments of warmth and beauty feel like the truest way through winter.