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A “Soft Life” Guide for 2026: Living Well Without Burning Out

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Gratitude #29 – February 2026

Published by

Kae Audhild

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February was a more difficult month, as it often is, with the harsh New York winter weather.. but the cold snap was much longer and more brutal this year. Meaning less time in nature and seeking out more indoor adventures.

And I moved into mid perimenopause (I’m 40!), meaning the hormonal hot flashes and brain fog have pretty much reached their peak, and the ADHD symptoms are barely manageable at times. (Forgive my breaks in posting while this happens. I’m struggling!) But I’m glad to be in the final phase of this transition I didn’t really know I’ve been going through for the last 3 years. I just thought I was having a hard time (which I was, but there’s so much more to it). 😆

Male red-bellied woodpecker eating bird seed from a hanging metal solar bird feeder outdoors
A male red-bellied woodpecker stopping by to eat from the solar bird feeder.

Recommended: SweetFull Solar Hanging Bird Feeder Review

What I’m loving right now:

Rest! I’ve been exhausted, but it’s so nice to sleep! ☆ firm boundaries around my time and energy ☆ fuzzy blankets ☆ kitty cuddles ☆ learning to cook new things from scratch ☆ exploring new products from the grocery store ☆ quiet time

Marquee sign glowing pink and yellow advertising comedian Josh Johnson’s sold-out show at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton, New York, photographed at night.
Ending Imbolc with laughter — Josh Johnson’s sold-out show at the Forum Theatre. (Feb 1)

Recommended: Imbolc Reflections: Clearing Space, Quiet Intentions, and a Night of Laughter 

Steaming mug of black coffee with spoon and blue water cup with lemon slice on a diner table at Piccolo’s Cafe in Binghamton, New York.
Plate of French toast with bacon and a medium-cooked egg at Piccolo’s Cafe in Binghamton, New York, served on a white diner plate during a cozy breakfast.
Breakfast at Piccolo’s Cafe in Binghamton, NY

Recommended: A Slow Morning at Piccolo’s Cafe ☕ (Binghamton, NY) 

Recommended: Soft Boundaries 101: Saying No Without Explaining

Hand-pressed flat dumpling dough cut into squares on a glass cutting board without using a rolling pin.
I shared a simple flat dumpling recipe for stews, etc, like my grandmother used to make.

Recommended: Rustic Flat Dumplings for Any Stew

Kae Audhild climbing an interactive wall display titled “Wonderful World of Pollinators” at the Museum of Science & Technology in Syracuse, New York during a winter museum visit.
Climbing the pollinator wall at the Museum of Science & Technology in Syracuse, NY

Recommended: Escaping the Cold at the Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) in Syracuse, NY

Recommended: How to Audit Your Energy (Not Just Your Time)

A plate of surf n turf tacos at Garage Taco Bar in Binghamton, NY, topped with mango pico, pickled red onions, and lime crema, served alongside crispy fries drizzled with sauce and a fresh lime wedge.
A close-up of the Part Time Lover strawberry margarita at Garage Taco Bar in Binghamton, NY, served in a short glass with a lime wedge garnish and light foam on top, photographed on a warm wood table with soft blue restaurant lighting in the background.
Dinner at Garage Taco Bar in Binghamton, NY

Recommended: Garage Taco Bar in Binghamton, NY: A Playful, Elevated Night Out

Microspikes traction cleats for winter hiking on icy trails in Upstate New York, essential gear for safe winter hikes at Clark Reservation State Park.
Bringing microspikes for extra traction made all the difference out on the slippery winter trails. 🏔 

Recommended: Yaktrax Adventure Grip – Durable Winter Traction Device with Stainless Steel Spikes for Ice and Snow

Small snowball stack on snowy trail at Clark Reservation State Park in Jamesville NY during winter forest hike.
Little surprises on the trails at Clark Reservation State Park in Jamesville, NY ❄️

Recommended: Winter Hiking at Clark Reservation State Park: A Snowy, Slippery, Beautiful Adventure in Upstate NY

Baked flavor-forward lasagna in a vintage blue cornflower CorningWare casserole dish with melted cheese and black pepper, fresh from the oven.
I made the BEST LASAGNA EVER!

Recommended: Flavor-Forward Lasagna in a Vintage Dish (A Quiet Luxury Comfort Recipe)

Closeup of water droplets on moss spores at Wolfe Park in Binghamton, NY in February 2026, signifying spring is on its way
Water droplets on moss spores at Wolfe Park in Binghamton, NY (post coming soon)

And to end the month of February… I’m sad to say the US started a war in Iran. More specifically, the Angry Orange Toddler in Chief did this without consulting congress, etc, and we’re along for the ride because no one did ANYTHING about this freak the entire time he’s been a plague on the nation. Not a thing. He was enabled, celebrated, and all unacceptable actions excused away (by people who all later came to suffer for it). If you’re “surprised”, you haven’t been listening.

There are a lot of things out of our control right now, but we CAN protest via demonstration, refusing service to MAGA cultists, making art, educating the masses, etc. We have to work together to stop this, especially in little ways (the conveniences people take for granted). Malicious compliance if you must.

There will be a third No Kings protest scheduled for March 28, and I will be posting about this soon. Check with your local Democratic committees for details on times and locations, and tell your friends to show up too! 🌈

Thanks for reading — I’ve got lots of cool things coming up, plus articles to help support us in these crazy times, and SPRING is just around the corner! 🌞🌱

Subscribe to keep up with future posts here on my blog — it’s free! 😉

See you again soon! ✌🏻

10 responses to “Gratitude #29 – February 2026”

  1. craftsydragon Avatar
    craftsydragon

    Good to see you posting, take care of you and yours!

    Reply
  2. David Avatar
    David

    Some nice photos in this post. I especially like the water droplets on moss.
    It is amazing how little we are hearing from the news media here in NZ about your “Angry Chief” although I try to follow a few less formal channels as well, and balance more extreme views from both sides. I feel very sorry for all the wonderful, ordinary people in the US who are just victims suffering the consequences of inappropriate behaviour from your “leadership”.

    Reply
    1. Kae Audhild Avatar
      Kae Audhild

      You know what’s crazy? Very little is covered by our mainstream media as well, by design. I follow independent progressive channels online, who cover content from both sides, as well as important personal videos captured across the country. I feel like social media is the only reason we’re seeing a lot of these crimes now. They can’t shut us up.

      Reply
      1. David Avatar
        David

        So true. My Chinese wife is going back to the local school for ESOL (Engish for Speakers of Other Languages) classes as a retirement interest. The course also covers New Zealand culture and world news, but the current US situation is almost totally ignored in class discussions even though it is probably creating some of the biggest changes in the western world in the last 70 years.
        Maybe our trouble is that we are too independent as thinkers and not prepared to just to absorb the pap from the mainstream media without looking for more details.

  3. Nainsee Bansal Avatar
    Nainsee Bansal

    What a wonderful experience

    Reply
  4. Adventure Friendship Avatar
    Adventure Friendship

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. CAN’T DO THIS IN A GYM! Avatar
    CAN’T DO THIS IN A GYM!

    I heard about that crazy weather on the east coast! I live in the PNW and weather has been better than usual here…

    Reply
  6. sara Avatar
    sara

    Sending love especially for your journey with perimenopause. I am on the other side of that now at 52 but I look back and realize how many issues it caused me for many years. I had no clue to attribute them to that.
    Also lovely photos from a fellow birdwatcher! ❤️

    Reply
    1. Kae Audhild Avatar
      Kae Audhild

      Thank you! It’s been rough, but I have an appointment in a couple weeks, to get help managing the hormones and all that. So I have hope and now know that this year isn’t completely ruined! 😆💖

      Reply
  7. Sonrisa Roulier Avatar
    Sonrisa Roulier

    I’ll be at the No Kings march myself on March 28. We should really say no dictators. Thanks for posting.

    Reply

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Oh,Kae.

Living slowly, adventuring often. ✨️

Contact: Kae@KaeAudhild.com

Hi, I’m Kae. This blog is about living well without burning out — through intentional routines, time in nature, and exploring Upstate New York at a slower pace. I share reflections, walks, and places that support a steadier life.

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