Why February Can Feel Emotionally Heavy (& What Helps).

Why February Can Feel Emotionally Heavy (And What Helps)

By John Warrington, Counselling Minds

This blog looks at why February can be a challenging month but also explores what can be done to help you during this period too.

It’s gradually getting lighter at night but often the weather is still cold and this month somehow still manages to feel like it’s dragging its feet. 

February has a bit of a reputation. It’s short and grey (sounds like me physically!). 

The Christmas decorations are gone, New Year motivation has quietly slipped out the back door and spring is teasing us from a distance. 

As a Counsellor, I often hear clients say, “I don’t know why, but everything feels harder at the moment.” 

If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken — you’re very likely just experiencing February.

Why February Can Be Difficult Emotionally

1. The post-January slump

January arrives full of good intentions, fresh starts, and ambitious plans. By February, many people are realising that becoming a completely new version of themselves by week three was… optimistic to say the least. This can lead to self-criticism, guilt, or that familiar “What’s wrong with me?” feeling — even though change was never meant to be an overnight transformation.

2. Ongoing winter fatigue

The days are still short, sunlight is limited, and getting out of bed can feel like a genuine negotiation. For some people, this links to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD); for others, it’s more of a low-level emotional and physical tiredness that just won’t shift. Coffee helps — but only so much and too much doesn’t help with sleep. 

3. Valentine’s Day pressure

February brings with it a strong focus on romance, hearts, and unrealistic expectations. For those who are single, grieving, recently separated, or in an unhappy relationship, Valentine’s Day can feel less like a celebration and more like an emotional obstacle course — often navigated while pretending it’s “just another day.” For those in happy relationships and Valentine Day lovers - enjoy!!

4. Emotional residue from the previous year

December is busy, loud, and distracting. Once things quieten down, unresolved feelings often make themselves known — grief, burnout, anxiety, or sadness that didn’t get airtime before. February is when many people finally notice what they’ve been carrying.

5. That “stuck in the middle” feeling

February sits awkwardly between endings and beginnings. Christmas is over, spring hasn’t arrived, and there’s nothing shiny to look forward to except slightly lighter evenings. This in-between space can leave people feeling flat, restless, or disconnected — like life is buffering.

Half-term can be a blessing for children, teenagers and school staff but can also provide additional stress for parents who have to reorganise work and find the time and money to entertain their children who they feel guilty about being stressed about. 

School staff and children are often recovering from exhaustion before the usual week’s break finishes and they are back to feeling pressured at school and college.

What Helps When February Feels Heavy

The good news is that feeling low in February doesn’t mean anything has gone wrong. Sometimes it just means your nervous system would appreciate a bit of understanding.

Be kinder to yourself

Low motivation doesn’t equal failure. It often means you’re tired, human, and living through winter. Speaking to yourself with compassion — rather than criticism — can make a surprising difference.

Lower the pressure

February doesn’t need to be productive, romantic, or life-changing. Giving yourself permission to simply get through it can be far more helpful than trying to optimise it.

Create small points of connection

Loneliness can creep in quietly during winter. A short walk with someone, a text message, or even a shared moan about the weather can help remind you that you’re not doing life alone.

Prioritise light and movement (gently)

Natural light, fresh air, and movement support mood — even if that movement is more “slow shuffle” than “energetic sprint.” It all counts.

Name what you’re feeling

Unacknowledged emotions have a habit of getting louder. Talking things through — with someone you trust or in counselling — can help take the weight out of what you’re carrying.

When Counselling Can Help

If February feels overwhelming, Counselling offers a space to pause, reflect, and make sense of what’s going on beneath the surface. 

You don’t need to be in crisis — sometimes therapy is simply about understanding why everything feels harder and learning how to respond with more care.

At Counselling Minds, many clients come to me feeling low, stuck, or emotionally drained at this time of year. 

Together, we explore what’s contributing to those feelings and what might help — without pressure, judgement, or unrealistic expectations.

I put people at ease by being approachable, down-to-earth, respectful and using appropriate humour where possible. 

It can feel daunting to have counselling and therefore it is my responsibility to put you at ease. 

A Final Thought

February doesn’t need fixing — it needs gentleness (and perhaps a bit more daylight!). 

If you’re finding this month emotionally heavy, that experience is valid. With understanding, support, and compassion, it can become far more manageable.

Before you know it, March will be here….

If this post resonates, then please email 

counsellingminds@gmail.com, 

call 07941217483 

or visit the www.localcounsellor.co.uk website. 

It would be my privilege to help you, as I’ve been privileged to support so many people over the past 13 years. 

Thanks for reading

John Warrington

Counselling Minds