Breaking the February Funk: How to Find Joy in the Toughest Month EP#124

Does February ever feel like the longest, toughest month? You’re not alone! From the post-holiday slump to the pressure of Valentine’s Day, February can be a hard month to get through. But what if you could change that? In this episode, Bona discusses how small mindset shifts and intentional actions can transform February from a dark, dreary month into one filled with light and joy.

Discover practical tips for navigating the February blues and how you can take control of your happiness, even when the world seems to be against it.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The February Blues: Why this month can be tough, and how to fight back with positivity and gratitude.
• Valentine's Day Pressure: How to shift the narrative from what’s missing to what’s already abundant in your life, regardless of your relationship status.
• Gratitude for Small Things: Learn how focusing on what you have, rather than what you don’t, can transform your perspective and lift your spirits.
• Action Creates Transformation: It’s not just about listening to positive messages—it’s about taking action to create real change in your life.
• Real-life Story: Hear how one listener, Nancy, changed her mindset and found joy during a challenging holiday season, proving that happiness begins with small shifts.

Featured Resources:

• The 30-Day Happiness Boost: Join Bona for a 30-day journey of small, intentional actions to boost your happiness. You’ll be guided step-by-step to create lasting joy in your life.

Key Quote: "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." — Dalai Lama

Join the Challenge!
If you’re tired of holding on to negativity and want to take action to change your February, join Bona for the 30-Day Happiness Boost. It’s time to create joy on your own terms.

Transcript

Breaking the February Funk: How to Find Joy in the Toughest Month

"Does February ever feel like the longest, toughest month? You’re not alone. Whether it’s the winter blues, post-holiday slump, or the pressure of Valentine’s Day, this time of year can be rough. But what if you could change that? Today, we’re talking about how small mindset shifts and intentional actions can make February feel lighter, brighter, and even—dare I say—joyful."

February is known for two things:

1.     The February Blues – A tough month for many. The holiday bills come due, winter days are short and dark, and we’re still dealing with the aftermath of holiday indulgences.

2.     Valentine’s Day – And I’m going to be totally upfront here: I am not a fan.

“Valentine’s Day often magnifies what we don’t have instead of celebrating what we do.”

If you’re in a relationship, society pressures you to perform as if what you do the rest of the year doesn’t count. And if you’re single, it can amplify feelings of loneliness.

Now, imagine growing up with an anti-Valentine’s Day mom—my poor kid! I still did my best to follow convention, but I also made sure he understood that no one should feel left out, including him. And while we didn’t buy into the Valentine’s Day hype, we did get excited about something—50% off chocolate on February 15th!

Focusing on What You Have, Not What You Don’t

If you struggle with February, for any reason, I encourage you to shift your focus. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing, look at what you already have. Gratitude is a powerful tool. It helps reframe our experiences and reminds us that joy is often found in the little things we sometimes overlook.

Four years ago, I created the 21-Day Happiness Challenge to help people navigate this tough month. What I’ve learned is this: listening to positive messages can be uplifting, but taking action is what truly makes a difference. The key is to step outside your comfort zone, experiment with happiness tools, and intentionally create moments of joy. That’s when you truly take control of your well-being.

Sometimes we become so accustomed to our current state that we don’t even realize we’re stuck in it.

It takes change and often something new to get to the spot where we are willing to try something new.  Willing to let ourselves feel happier.  

Are you tired of holding on to your negativity?  Are you ready to let yourself try something new instead of just thinking about it?  What if this February you did one thing different.  For yourself.  What if you showed self care this month and did something healing or encouraging for you?

Action Creates Transformation

Through the years, I’ve received incredible feedback from people who took that step beyond just listening. The difference is night and day. When someone applies the concepts to their own life, they experience more joy, feel less alone, and stop seeing themselves as a victim of circumstance.

Every December, The Happier You Community participates in a 30-Day Gratitude Challenge—a time to practice gratitude daily. And every once in a while, I get a message from someone sharing how it changed their perspective.

This past December, I heard from a community member—let’s call her Nancy. She shared something powerful:

Early this month, I was starting to feel depressed (something I’ve struggled with my entire adult life) because my new daughters-in-law prioritize celebrations with their own families. But then I heard you say, “When you have a choice, choose happy So I reframed my thoughts and decided to feel grateful that my sons have found women they love to share them lives with. And I have two lovely young women in my life, even if I don’t see them as often as I’d like. And it worked! That mindset shift lifted my spirits and kept me feeling good the entire month.

I want to take a minute and just celebrate what Nancy did for herself.  She didn’t change the outside situation at all.  She simply decided to change the way she looked at the situation.  She didn’t do this for her children, she did it for herself.  It was a gift she gave herself.  It was a small step she could take for herself that felt good.  

Progress can start with small, seemingly insignificant choices we make.  Next year Nancy can do the same thing for herself, or she might decide to go one step further and ask her sons to bring their wives and spend more time with Nancy and her husband.  Whatever Nancy decides she knows that she can take agency in her life and help herself through the struggle.  Her actions this year proved that to her.

How empowering is that?

“Nancy’s story is proof that happiness isn’t about waiting for circumstances to change—it’s about changing how you see them. What’s one small shift you could make today that might change everything for you?”

Happiness Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

I started sharing my happiness journey nearly five years ago because I wanted others to feel empowered too. My emotions still fluctuate. I still feel rejection, loneliness, and guilt—just like anyone else. But now, I have tools to help me navigate those feelings instead of getting stuck in them.

Happiness looks different for everyone. It also changes over time. What brought me joy at 20 isn’t necessarily what brings me joy now. What stressed me out then might not even phase me today. The key is to keep exploring, learning, and doing—because thinking about happiness isn’t the same as living it.

Today’s quote: "Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions." — Dalai Lama

"Are you tired of holding on to negativity? Are you ready to let yourself try something new?

This February, I challenge you to do one thing differently for yourself. Join me for the 30-Day Happiness Boost, where I’ll guide you through small, powerful actions that make a real difference. Because happiness isn’t about waiting for things to change—it’s about taking action to create more joy in your life.

And the best part? You don’t have to wait for it—you can create it, starting today."