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The Beat Goes On - February Edition
- Rich Martin
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
February often arrives quietly, wrapped in cold mornings, darker evenings, and a sense that winter has well and truly settled in. The initial rush of the new year has faded, the weather can feel relentless, and for many, this month brings a mix of emotions rather than fresh motivation.
It can also be a sensitive time. Valentine’s Day, while meaningful for some, can highlight feelings of loneliness, loss, pressure, or emotional fatigue for others. Wherever you sit with it this year; partnered, single, grieving, content, or simply opting out - all of those feelings are valid.
There’s no right way to do February.
Taking a breath - literally
In January, we ran our Online Breathworks session, and we’d like to say a genuine thank you to everyone who dialled in and took the time to be there. Choosing to pause and focus on yourself isn’t always easy, especially in busy, demanding lives, and it was great to see members making space for that.
We really hope to run more sessions like this in the future and will share details as soon as new dates are confirmed.
Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, breathe out for 4, hold for 4. Repeat for a few cycles.
It’s a small reset you can use literally anywhere - before a difficult conversation, before the door goes in, after a stressful shift, or when life just feels a bit too loud.
Food for the soul – February recipe
In colder months, nourishment isn’t about perfection. It’s about warmth, comfort, and making life easier where you can.
This simple one-pot stew is ideal for batch cooking and low-energy days. Soften onion, carrots, celery and garlic, add warming spices, red lentils, chopped tomatoes and stock, then let it gently simmer.
Make it veggie with chickpeas or sweet potato, or add chicken thighs for a heartier option. It keeps well, freezes beautifully, and is the kind of meal that looks after you without asking much in return.
Soul-Warming One-Pot Stew (Meat or Veggie)
Serves: 4–6 | Good for: batch cooking (3-4 days) & freezing (3 months)
You’ll need:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery sticks, chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
200g red lentils
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1–1.2 litres stock
Optional add-ins:
Veggie/Vegan: chickpeas or cubed sweet potato
Meat: 400–500g chicken thighs, chopped
How to make it:Soften the onion, carrots and celery in a large pot. Add garlic and spices, then stir in lentils, tomatoes, stock and your chosen add-ins. Simmer gently for 30–35 minutes until thick and comforting. Season to taste.
Keeps well for a few days, freezes brilliantly, and tastes even better the next day.
Shift Saver - getting outside, locally
If you’ve got a day off this month, a short walk close to home can be one of the simplest ways to reset - especially when motivation is low and the weather isn’t inviting big plans.
Wendover Woods is a great February option. The woodland paths are well maintained, sheltered from the wind, and easy to adapt to how you’re feeling - whether that’s a quick loop or a longer wander. There’s no pressure to go far, and the chance of a hot drink afterwards never hurts.
Fresh air, gentle movement, and a change of scenery can do more than we often realise. Sometimes a day off isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing something simple and letting your head breathe.
As we move through February…
Be kind to yourself. Check in on others where you can. Energy may dip, motivation might wobble, and that’s okay. Spring will come - but for now, slowing down, grounding yourself, and focusing on small moments of calm is more than enough.
You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re just human and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop, breathe, and begin again.
Take care,
On the Beat Team 💙
P.S Why not take some time out at some our up coming events or even have a go and build some Lego from our Bucks Brick Borrowers Library.
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