February and Lighter Days

With February rolling in, it finally feels like we’re turning a corner. The mornings are just a bit lighter, the evenings stretch a touch longer and suddenly, the days don’t feel quite so heavy. There’s something quietly powerful about not beginning and ending the workday in darkness. It opens up new pockets of possibility: a brisk walk before meetings, time in the garden after dinner, or a trip to the park with the kids before the sun slips away. Even the dog seems to notice the difference.

This subtle shift in daylight hours also has a knock-on effect in other parts of life. My solar panels, for instance, are about to start earning their keep again, soon they’ll be generating over 50% of the electricity we use at home. It’s a reminder that these longer days aren’t just good for the soul, they’re good for sustainability too. And as we edge toward spring, there’s the added anticipation of cricket season creeping closer, bringing with it a new rhythm of weekends.

What’s striking is how these seemingly small seasonal changes can have such an outsized impact. More light, more energy, more time outside; it all builds a sense of momentum after the deep stillness of winter. These aren’t dramatic transformations, but they shift our habits, our outlook, and even our routines in meaningful ways.

It’s easy to overlook the power of gradual change. But sometimes, the biggest difference in how we feel or function doesn’t come from a big event or decision, it comes from something as simple as the sun hanging around a little longer each day.