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Sweet Escape | Jin’s February 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 7 min read
After the chaos that January brought, February honestly felt like the bounce back I really needed. It ended up being a month full of fun adventures, little moments with friends, and experiences that reminded me why life can be so exciting. While I did still deal with some anxiety along the way, I tried my best not to let it take over the good moments. Instead, I focused on being present, saying yes to things, and letting myself enjoy the ride after such a crazy start to the year.
Lifestyle: Travel & Relationships
Japan
February was largely defined by the amazing memories my boyfriend and I made in Japan. We loved Tokyo so much from our last trip that we knew we had to go back and experience more of the country together, especially Osaka and Kyoto. The trip ended up being a bit of a last minute plan because we realized our original idea to go later in the year might not work out, especially with the new foreign tourist taxes being introduced. Honestly, being there made it easy to understand why they are considering it because there were so many international visitors everywhere we went.
Osaka ended up being my favorite city on the trip. The food scene was incredible and the shopping was so fun that I fully leaned into my big GU haul moment. I ended up buying way more than expected, including three pairs of shoes: Salomon sneakers, GU shoes, and a pair of Onitsuka Tigers. One of my favorite memories from Osaka was when we kept passing by this small local yakitori restaurant every day and finally decided to stop in. We ordered their “today’s sashimi” along with some skewers, and the beef tasted a little chewier than we expected but still good. Later we found out it was actually ostrich sashimi, which completely shocked us. It was such a funny and unexpected moment and honestly one of those travel stories that we will probably tell forever. One of my favorite little souvenirs from Osaka was when we got matching custom pinky rings together for Valentines day, which made the trip feel even more special and gave us something small but meaningful to remember it by.
Kyoto was also beautiful in a completely different way. It had a mix of city energy while still being filled with traditional architecture, temples, and so much history. I was especially excited to visit a specific matcha shop I had been looking forward to for a while, but sadly it was closed because of the ongoing matcha shortage. As someone who loves matcha, I was genuinely so sad to experience the impact of that firsthand. Even with that disappointment though, the trip as a whole was so much fun and filled with so many great memories.
Santa Barbara
The traveling didn’t stop with Japan because the following week I went to Santa Barbara for a couples trip with Stephanie, and it was the boys’ first time meeting. It honestly felt surreal because back in besties trip to SB we used to joke about one day bringing our boyfriends to Santa Barbara, telling them all of our stories, and showing them the apartment where we used to live. And somehow that random little manifestation actually happened. Walking around the places that held so many memories while introducing them to that chapter of our lives felt really full circle.
Wedding
The month ended with Sarah and Budd’s wedding, and I loved this one because of how chill and fun it was. There was a slight panic moment though because I had a full wardrobe freakout that morning and ended up running to Nordstrom Rack the day of to buy a dress, but thankfully it all worked out. We ended up having so much fun, especially going with our couple friends and just enjoying the whole celebration together. I always love weddings because love just feels so real in those moments, and this was actually my boyfriend and I’s fifth wedding together which made it feel extra special. It was even more meaningful because it was surrounded by Sarah’s family, who my boyfriend basically considers an extension of his own family. You could tell how much the people there meant to them, and it felt really sweet seeing everyone so happy for him and welcoming to me too, including his mom who was there. Of course there were also plenty of people asking when our turn would be, which definitely will not be anytime soon, but it was still nice hearing the approval. Overall we just had the best time dancing, being silly together, and celebrating such a happy day.
Work
Work has been chaotic and hectic to be honest, but what really helps me hang on are the great people around me and the genuine friendships we have built along the way. For example, the small group of girls at work that we call the “brand girlies” got together for Galentine’s where we ate hot pot and did a little phone charm making activity together. It was such a sweet and cozy get together, and I loved that we were able to spend time outside of work doing something fun and creative. Moments like that remind me how grateful I am for coworkers who take the time to host and bring everyone together.
Lows & Lessons:
In the lows and lessons department, there was an incident that happened during our couples trip that definitely caught all of us a little off guard. It was one of those moments that made the trip feel tense for a bit and left us feeling a little taken aback. But looking back, I think it actually made us stronger as a group. We were able to talk things through, understand each other better, and still continue the trip making great memories together.
On a more personal level, I also struggled with a pretty intense wave of anxiety this month. Social media can be such an incredible source of information and awareness, but it can also feel like a really dark place when you absorb too much of it all at once. I found myself falling into a bit of a hole where it started affecting my day to day life. I was losing motivation and having a hard time moving through the day with the same sense of purpose I normally have. And even acknowledging that feeling was complicated because I know how privileged it is to be able to step away when there are so many real things happening in the world.
Eventually I had a few days where it felt especially heavy, and I remember asking my boyfriend if we could pray together. That moment actually became a turning point for me. It made me more open to reconnecting with my faith and even considering going back to church again. In a strange way, that difficult stretch pushed me toward rebuilding a relationship with God, and I’m grateful for that. I’m also really thankful to have such an understanding partner who supported me through that moment. I’m curious and hopeful to see what that part of my life might look like in the coming months.
Songs on Repeat:
Chains of Love - Charli xcxGO - BLACKPINKHYPNOTIZE - XGMy Pick of the Month: Yakiniku
My favorite moment of the month has to go to the yakiniku we had in Japan, specifically this one restaurant that ended up being such a perfect and unforgettable experience. We actually went on a whim because of a great recommendation, and when we arrived we found out they normally require reservations. Luckily it was just the two of us, so they kindly let us in. When they asked if we were celebrating anything, we mentioned that we had just hit our two year anniversary, and from that moment on they truly went above and beyond for us.
At one point the staff randomly asked what my favorite anime character was. As someone who doesn’t really watch anime but loves Sanrio, I awkwardly said Cinnamoroll. The staff were incredibly friendly throughout the entire meal. They carefully showed us each cut of meat, explained the best way to cook and eat everything step by step, and kept checking in to make sure we were enjoying everything. The food itself was absolutely incredible. The beef was possibly the best I’ve ever had and literally melted in my mouth. The restaurant itself was definitely on the nicer side, but with the yen being so weak it honestly felt like such a steal knowing how expensive a place like this would be back home. The biggest surprise came at the end of the meal when they brought out dessert. They had prepared a plate with free ice cream and a hand painted Cinnamoroll design. It was adorable and so thoughtful. On top of that, the chef himself came out to chat with us and congratulate us.
I was honestly about to cry. As silly and cheesy as it sounds, I’ve always secretly wanted to go to a restaurant and get one of those plates that say “happy birthday” or “happy anniversary.” So having one that was custom and hand drawn just for us made the experience feel even more special. It was one of those moments that felt small but incredibly meaningful, and I truly could not have asked for a more perfect dinner.
Looking back, February felt like the sweetest escape from all the chaos of January. Between the trips, the weddings, and the little moments with friends and coworkers, it was a month that reminded me how much joy there is to be found when you lean into the experiences around you. Even with a bit of anxiety here and there, I felt present, grateful, and connected in ways that really mattered. The sweet escapes were exactly what I needed, and I’m carrying that feeling with me as we move into the next month, hoping to hold onto the same sense of adventure, love, and unexpected magic.
Talk to you next month,
-- Jin
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