The Romans Were Onto Something
Why hello!
Each week, I write a few different versions of a potential newsletter—and then usually discard them the day before they’re supposed to send because I find something more interesting, timely, or relevant to you.
This week’s rejects included:
— a piece on exercise intensity over volume (what the research actually says—in a nutshell: do more intensity, save time, you’re good),
— one on the underrated usefulness of neutral thinking (not attaching an opinion or judgment to every single thing—including injury, your body, a bad day, and the news cycle.) Did you know you can simply choose not to opt in to drama? It’s true.
— and another on 6 months of pelvic floor therapy distilled into a a few paragraphs. Or, Here's What You Could Do to Stop Peeing Your Pants. (Keep in mind the cobbler's children have no shoes, and I don't do my homework, so yeah).
I’m sure you’ll see one of these soon.
But then yesterday, while listening to my son’s Yoto Daily (iykyk, Parents of Small Children), I learned that the ancient Romans celebrated something called Februalia, which included a ritual known as Februa. So, I did some research.
The word February comes from the Latin februare—to purify, cleanse, or atone.
Since March was the first month of the Roman calendar, they spent the entire month of February in a celebration of cleaning their homes, fasting, and purifying. (Which makes sense. Spring. Fresh start. New Year/New You—Roman Times Edition.)
So this month, I’m leaning into the Compound Effect and doing something extremely unglamorous (I’m not sure I ever do anything glamorous, but go with me) yet deeply satisfying: spending a short amount of time every day getting my house in order.
Not a full overhaul—just a steady edit so I love what I own, instead of being owned by it. (Thank you, Tyler Durden.)
Closet edits.
Getting rid of things we don’t need right now.
Cleaning baseboards. Washing cupboards. (Thrilling, I know.)
If I spend 30 minutes a day for 27 days (I started a day late), that’s 13.5 hours toward a house that isn’t just livable—but one that doesn’t add to my mental load. Which is about the most valuable thing I can think of these days.
To bring this full circle to exercise, this is the exact thinking that led me to launch Recalibrate three years ago.
It’s a less-is-more approach to integrating fitness into your week—without upending your entire schedule and without stressing you out.
A little bit here, a little bit there, until you hit a meaningful total of efficient movement that actually adds up.
Because small steps are conducive to real life.
And to actually doing the thing that needs to get done.
I know I can squeeze in 15 minutes of exercise at least twice a week.
Add a 30-minute workout once a week, probably on a lunch break.
And a 25-minute session before my kids get up.
And suddenly, I’m right where I want to be—without making it a bigger deal than it needs to be.
Same principle as my Februalia cleaning approach. Different domain.
Small, intentional effort.
Repeated consistently.
Quietly compounding.
The Romans were onto something.
( I mean, besides sanitation systems, the 365-day calendar, and heated floors.)
XO,
