It’s February 2nd - Groundhog Day, and for two days straight I kept hearing, “What’s the protocol for Sunday?”, “What’s the protocol for Monday?”

Protocol? I so was confused, eventhough the memory of the righteous is blessed (Proverbs 10:7)… until Groundhog Day came up.

Punxsutawney Phil. The shadow. Six more weeks of winter - or an early spring.

And suddenly, the word made sense. We wait. We watch. We look for signs. But Groundhog Day has never really been about a groundhog. It’s about repetition. Waking up and wondering if we’re about to live the same day again.

And if I’m honest, sometimes life feels like that. Same iiisssshhh. Different toilet. Same routines. Same internal conversations. Same prayers - just repackaged.

But what if February isn’t meant to be a replay? What if the real protocol is refusing to continue the monotonous rhythm that makes every day feel the same?

We are one month closer to spring. One month closer to vibrant colors. One month closer to becoming, and watching the documentary yesterday reminded me: becoming isn’t sudden. It’s quiet, gradual, and often happens in between the obvious moments.

And becoming rarely announces itself loudly, it typically happens in the “in between seasons”, when everything still looks bare, but something underneath is already shifting. Like, Paris Fashion Week unfolded and a massive amount of silhouettes were cutting through the winter air, finding its own path, because creativity will always refuse to hibernate.

And maybe that’s what becoming looks like. Not waiting for the weather to change. Not waiting for perfect timing. But slowly showing up, and showing up boldly - even in the winter.

Oh, how I should’ve been and should be à Paris right now! Maybe Paris isn’t just a place. Maybe it’s a posture. A decision to live beautifully before everything blooms. To move with intention before the season visibly changes.

Punxsutawney Phil can look for shadows. I’m choosing to look for light. This month, I’m not waiting for signs. I’m commanding my mornings to receive and I pray God grants you what your heart desires - the ones He planted there intentionally.

Whether winter lingers or not…Spring is still coming.

And so are we.

Sincerely🌿,

Jai🤍

When I asked this aloud, she was very matter-of-fact about her response as she said it with such conviction, as if I weren’t already aware:

“Because you start to produce different bacteria than if you were alive.”

I paused. Appreciated the science. But that wasn’t really my question. Bacteria? Treatable. Predictable. No, I was asking about presence, attention, and perception.

When we’re alive, vibrant, moving, doing our thing, people flock to us. Compliments, attention, curiosity- it’s almost flattering. But when we transition to stillness - quiet, subtle, or yes… dead - people recoil, look away, panic. Even over a tiny fish. Exactly what is it going to do to you, jump up and out of the bowl?

So, of course, my mind wandered to its creative side - fashion and art. Bold, bright, flashy, over-the-top? Everyone notices, compliments, and follows. Subtle, minimal, nuanced? Suddenly it feels intimidating, underappreciated, or misunderstood. Yet there is power in stillness, depth in quiet, and meaning in restraint. Let your presence simmer - no applause required.

Harriet may have been small. She may have been still. But she left her mark - and maybe a little chaos, too. Perhaps that’s exactly what life, art, and fashion are meant to do: make people notice, laugh, pause, and think.

So, here’s to the still ones, the understated ones, and yes… the fish that cause dramatic family debates about where she should be placed, if anyone has fed her for the day, or if she’s listened to any tunes to keep her swimming.

How do you honor the still, quiet parts of your life and expression?

With reflection – Sincerely,

Jai 🤍🌿🖤

Hey! I’m new here and starting again slower, more intentional, and less curated.

The Mint Edit is an editorial space exploring fashion, design, culture, and the art of living through an observant lens. From archive finds, museum visits, and interior aesthetics to personal style, commentary, and things worth noticing, this publication is a home for visual storytelling.

This is a space for observation over perfection. It’s for the pieces, silhouettes, objects, and ideas that provoke curiosity, emotion, or conversation—whether practical or simply captivating.

Here, you’ll find:

• Fashion, design, and culture in all their forms

• Museum, gallery, and archive discoveries

• Personal style, home aesthetics, and visual inspiration

• Thoughtful commentary and creative exploration

• Ideas and objects that challenge function, context, and expectation

I’m building this slowly, intentionally, and with care. Thank you for being here at the beginning.

Sincerely,

Jai

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