The Blink-of-an-Eye February & Non-Birthday Getaways
Okay so... holy crap, can we talk about how February is literally FLYING by? Like I blinked and suddenly we're a week into the month and I'm sitting here like "wait, what happened to January?" (Oh right, I was sick for most of it. Cool cool cool.)
I think part of the reason time feels so warped is because I've been sick since before Christmas and I'm FINALLY at the tail end of my steroid taper. You know when you're on steroids and everything feels like you're living in a weird fog where time doesn't exist and you're simultaneously wired and exhausted? Yeah, that. My perception of time is absolutely donzo right now.
But here's the thing that's really getting me: *I'm a leap year baby.* Like, an actual February 29th baby. Which means this year? No birthday. My birthday literally doesn't exist in 2026.
The Non-Birthday Dilemma
So I'm sitting here thinking... if my birthday doesn't technically happen this year, does that mean I'm not aging? Please say yes. And if I'm not aging and my birthday isn't real, then I might as well just treat my non-birthday to something special, right? That's how logic works?
I'm talking a weekend away. Somewhere warm. Somewhere that ISN'T Massachusetts in February (because let's be real, I love New England ..ish… but February here is just... no). Florida? South Carolina? Literally anywhere where I can feel sunshine on my face and remember what warmth feels like? Just like 3 days.
The research rabbit hole I fell into about February getaways was actually pretty encouraging. Turns out February is like the secret sweet spot for travel – prices drop after the holidays and before spring break hits, so you can actually find some incredible deals.
Getting Back to Myself
But honestly, beyond the non-birthday getaway daydreaming, there's something bigger happening here. Now that my head is finally clearing and I'm coming out of this months-long sick fog, I'm getting back to MYSELF. Like, the actual me. The one who has energy and ideas and plans for the future instead of just surviving day to day.
And that means it's time to get back to business. Time to really think about the future of Graze.
I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately (probably too much, ugh, hazard of being stuck at home recuperating), and I keep coming back to this thought: *What's the point of living if you just work all the time anyway?*
Like, why did I start this business in the first place? Was it so I could work myself into the ground 24/7 and never see my family? Never take a vacation? Never celebrate my fake non-birthday? Absolutely not.
The Work-Life Balance Reality Check
I started Graze because I love creating beautiful food experiences for people. I love the creativity, the joy on clients' faces, the way a gorgeous charcuterie board brings people together. But somewhere along the way, it's easy to get caught in the hustle trap. The "work more, grind harder, sleep less" mentality that society loves to glorify. So gross to me.
But here's what I'm realizing: I need to work smarter (and yes, maybe more efficiently) so I can spend more time doing the things I ACTUALLY love. Time with my toddler. Time with my husband who brought me care packages when I was a disaster. Time with my family. Time taking non-birthday trips to warm places where I can recharge.
The goal isn't to work less necessarily, it's to work in a way that allows me to live MORE. To enjoy the life I'm building instead of just constantly building it and never stopping to appreciate it.
What This Means for Graze
So what does this philosophical rambling mean for Graze? A few things:
**Systems and processes.** I'm doubling down on creating systems that make the business run smoother so I'm not reinventing the wheel every single time. Templates, streamlined ordering, better inventory management which I’ve been slowing chipping at. You know, all the unsexy backend stuff that actually gives you your life back.
**Boundaries.** Revolutionary concept, I know. But actually setting working hours and sticking to them so not answering emails at 11pm just because I CAN.
**Strategic growth.** Instead of just saying yes to everything, being intentional about the events and clients that align with where I want to take Graze. Quality over quantity, you know? See ya later people pleaser, Abby.
**Taking actual breaks.** Like this non-birthday getaway I'm planning. Stepping away isn't lazy. I think it's necessary. You can't pour from an empty cup and all those other Pinterest quotes that are actually true.
The February Fast-Forward
I think February going by so fast is actually a gift in disguise. It's forcing me to pay attention to how quickly time moves. We're already 1/6 of the way through 2026 (did I math that right?) and if I don't get intentional about how I'm spending my days, the whole year is going to blink by.
The sick months as awful as they were gave me this weird forced pause to reevaluate everything. And while I definitely would have preferred to learn these lessons NOT while feeling like death warmed over, I'm grateful for the clarity that's coming out of it.
Plus, there's something poetic about being a leap year baby and having this "extra" non-birthday to think about what I want the next year birthday to look like. It's like the universe gave me a freebie, a year where I don't age but I can still learn and grow and change.
Weekend Recap (because apparently we blinked and it was Sunday night)
Okay before I get too dreamy about a non-birthday getaway, I have to recap this weekend at Graze because it was one of those “how did we do all that?” kind of stretches.
Abigail basically ran the shop all weekend like the absolute queen she is but I let her scoot out early to go visit family in NY so she wouldn’t have to drive in all the snow. I’m chaotic, not cruel. Go be safe, go get hugged, bye.
Drew was at the market on Saturday holding it down with our regulars and salads in heart shaped containers because they’re adorable.
Saturday night I taught a Galentine’s Day class for the loveliest group from Hanscom AFB and you guys… they brought me flowers, tequila, and Ferrero Rocher (aka a personalized gift basket of my actual love languages). I was like excuse me? I don’t deserve you?
Then today (Sunday) I meal prepped alllll day and finished by 6 PM and everything is prepped, packaged, and ready in bags for customers. Like a real functioning adult! For once! Past Abby would be shook. Also Glass Animals has been on repeat allll day while I chopped/portioned/packed and I forgot how much I loved them? Where have I BEEN.
Tomorrow is deliveries + a couple meetings + admin stuff I need to wrap before school pickup (because the afternoon sprint is so real), but I *still* need to figure out what to make the kids for lunch. The never-ending question. The eternal boss battle. If you have any ideas that aren’t just “a beige snack plate” please send help.
2026 has already thrown a LOT at me (sick before Christmas, sick in January, steroid tapers, the whole shebang), but February feels like a turning point. The fog is lifting, my energy is coming back, and I'm ready to tackle the future of Graze with actual enthusiasm instead of just survival mode.
And who knows, maybe I'll write a blog post from a beach somewhere documenting my non-birthday adventures. (Probably while still thinking about charcuterie boards because apparently I can't turn my brain off completely, but at least there will be fruity drinks involved.)
Here's to February flying by, to non-birthdays that deserve celebrations anyway, and to building businesses and lives that feel as good as they look.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have some vacation planning to do. And maybe a grazing board to design. Or both. Definitely both.
XX
Abby
Song of the day: Glass Animals: The Other Side of Paradise
