February is the shortest month of the year and for me, that makes it sacred.

It’s a month that doesn’t ask to be rushed through, even though it often is. The cold lingers, the days are still quiet, and spring feels close enough to hope for but far enough to wait on. This year, instead of filling February with “catching up” or counting down the days, I’m choosing a single word to guide me:

Create.

Not in a performative way.
Not in a productivity-driven way.
But in a grounded, hands-on, life-giving way.

What “Create” Means to Me This Month

Creating isn’t just about making something beautiful, it’s about returning to myself.

It’s choosing to use my hands instead of my phone.
It’s letting curiosity lead instead of comparison.
It’s slowing down enough to enjoy the process, not just the outcome.

Over time, I’ve noticed how easy it is to unintentionally trade creating for consuming. Scrolling replaces making. Saving ideas replaces actually trying them. And while rest is important, constant consumption can quietly drain creativity instead of restoring it.

So this February, my intention is simple:
Less scrolling. More creating.

I want to fill my days with small, joyful projects. Things that don’t need to be perfect, profitable, or posted, just made because they sound fun.

Why February Is the Perfect Month to Create

February doesn’t need big goals. It needs gentle ones.

This month is about:

• Enjoying cozy days at home
• Reconnecting with hobbies I haven’t touched in a while
• Letting creativity feel playful again
• Making space for joy in the middle of winter

Instead of trying to do more, I’m trying to do things more intentionally. Creating gives my mind a break. It grounds me. It reminds me that joy doesn’t have to be loud or productive, it can be quiet and handmade.

My 25-Day Create Challenge

To bring this word to life, I’m doing a 25-day Create Challenge—one small creative project each day for the entire month of February.

Some projects are practical. Some are purely for fun. Some are things I already love, and others are brand new. The goal isn’t mastery, it’s presence.

Here’s the full challenge:

🌿 The 25 Days of Create

• Day 1: Coffee Syrup from Home
• Day 2: Make Jelly or Jam
• Day 3: Make a Bouquet
• Day 4: Baking Day – Scones
• Day 5: Bag Charms
• Day 6: Make a Mocktail
• Day 7: Custom Coasters (puzzle pieces, tiles, etc.)
• Day 8: Engraving Project
• Day 9: Candle Making
• Day 10: Bead Pens
• Day 11: Bookmarks
• Day 12: Watercolor
• Day 13: Wine Glass Charms
• Day 14: Baking Day – Cookies
• Day 15: Cookbook Pages / Scrapbooking
• Day 16: Clay Making Project
• Day 17: Needlepoint Project
• Day 18: Custom Bags
• Day 19: Bracelets / Necklaces
• Day 20: Vase Project
• Day 21: Clay Plant Labels
• Day 22: Paint a Planter
• Day 23: Clay Magnets
• Day 24: Custom Tray
• Day 25: Custom Wax Seals or Stamp Making

Each project is intentionally simple and approachable, things that can be done at home, often with supplies I already have or can easily source.

What I Hope to Accomplish

By the end of February, I’m not hoping to be “better” at crafting or have a perfectly curated collection of projects.

What I do hope for:

• To feel more grounded
• To rediscover the joy of making without pressure
• To build creative momentum heading into spring
• To replace scrolling habits with intentional rituals
• To romanticize the ordinary again

Most of all, I want creating to feel like care, not another task on a to-do list.

An Invitation

If this resonates with you, consider choosing your own word for the month or joining in on a few of the projects that sound fun. You don’t need to do all 25. You don’t need to share them online. You just need to start.

February doesn’t have to be something we rush through.
It can be something we make.

Here’s to a month of creating, slowly, imperfectly, and with joy. 🤍

Follow along on my instagram to see how I accomplish this challenge instagram.com/samantharobbins.co 🧶