February Is the New January!

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• January and February should be treated as months for rest and reflection, not for forcing productivity or making major life decisions, as modern productivity culture goes against natural mammalian rhythms.  Copied to clipboard!
• The current calendar structure, which places the start of the year in dark, cold January, is a historical construct dating back to Roman and Papal influence, as the original new year often began in March with the arrival of spring.  Copied to clipboard!
• The Lunar New Year, celebrated later than the Gregorian New Year, offers a more natural transition point, occurring on the second new moon after the winter solstice, providing time for preparation and rest.  Copied to clipboard!

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February as New January

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(00:00:59)

• Key Takeaway: February is declared the new January, validating the need for rest and reflection instead of immediate post-New Year reinvention.
• Summary: The hosts establish the premise that February should function as the true start of the year, allowing for recovery from December and January inertia. Making major life decisions in February is advised against because the month ‘messes with your mind.’ This concept is supported by historical context suggesting January is an unnatural time for new beginnings.

Critique of Productivity Culture

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(00:02:15)

• Key Takeaway: January resolutions are characterized as an ‘unhinged behavior’ driven by sales campaigns and productivity bros, contradicting natural mammalian rhythms.
• Summary: Annie Scott’s writing is cited, stating that January is a sales campaign, not a new year, because it is dark and nothing is growing. Mammals are biologically programmed to hibernate or rest during this dark period. Attempting radical self-reinvention in January works against this natural state of rest.

The Concept of Wintering

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(00:03:50)

• Key Takeaway: Wintering, as described by Katherine May, is the natural, necessary period of stillness and withdrawal that mammals, including humans, should embrace during the darkest months.
• Summary: The concept of ‘Wintering’ validates the need to slow down, gather energy, and withdraw during the cold season, which can be literal or metaphorical (like during grief). Fighting this natural urge to rest leads to unnecessary guilt, especially for default parents managing household burdens.

Historical Calendar Origins

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(00:06:50)

• Key Takeaway: The traditional Roman calendar originally started in March, evidenced by month names like September (seven) and October (eight), before January 1st was imposed as the start date.
• Summary: For most of human history, the year began in March, aligning with the start of spring, growth, and increased light. The Roman calendar initially had only 10 months, leaving about 80 days of ‘unmarked time’ during winter, which was considered too insignificant to name. January was added later, and January 1st was solidified as the new year’s start around the time of Julius Caesar.

Gregorian Calendar and Pope Greg

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(00:10:01)

• Key Takeaway: Pope Gregory XIII’s implementation of the Gregorian calendar in the 1580s standardized the 365.63-day year, cementing January 1st as the official, albeit unnatural, beginning.
• Summary: The calendar was inconsistent before the 1580s, often not matching the weather, which confused non-clerical populations. Pope Gregory XIII fixed the measurement to align with the earth’s orbit, solidifying the current structure. This act is humorously labeled as the first productivity push, forcing the concept of a January start onto everyone.

Lunar New Year Timing

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(00:15:58)

• Key Takeaway: The Chinese Lunar New Year is celebrated on the second new moon after the winter solstice, intentionally providing time for rest after the darkest day.
• Summary: The Chinese calendar uses both lunar and solar movements, celebrating the New Year around mid-to-late February (February 17th in the example year). This timing is considered reasonable because it allows for a period of rest following the winter solstice (shortest day) before the new cycle begins.

Chinese Zodiac Transition

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(00:17:20)

• Key Takeaway: The transition from the Year of the Snake (reflection/recalibration) to the Year of the Horse (energy/action) around the Lunar New Year signals a shift from internal progress to external initiative.
• Summary: The Year of the Snake emphasizes deliberate internal progress, intuition, and intelligent gathering, validating the feeling of ‘cocooning.’ The incoming Year of the Horse is associated with energy, action, fearlessness, and social connection, suggesting a faster pace starting mid-February.

Rest Over Resolution in February

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(00:24:09)

• Key Takeaway: Resolutions should be avoided in both January and February, dedicating these months instead to reflecting on what one truly wants, rather than what society dictates one should want.
• Summary: Stacey Dernan advises against making resolutions in February, suggesting the month should be used for deep reflection on personal and family values and desires. Major life changes should not be enacted in February due to the month’s tendency to inspire impulsive, temporary decisions.

Seasonal Rhythms and Mental Health

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(00:30:28)

• Key Takeaway: The calendar strongly informs behavior, and seasonal changes significantly impact mental health, often causing physical anxiety due to reduced light exposure.
• Summary: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real condition, but all people are affected by the shift in light and darkness, leading to disordered sleep and eating patterns. Acknowledging the natural rhythm of wintering—hiding when it is dark—is healthier than fighting it, though modern life often forces us out of sync with these natural cycles.