A February Made for Sharing | Jan’s Blog
How can I be intentional? How do I keep myself from slipping back into old patterns – the ones where I try to do everything, carry everything, and quietly convince myself that this is what commitment looks like? As I wrote in my last blog, I’ve been pulling back from that way of working. And yes, changing behaviour is hard. But this new direction has been invigorating. I am slowing down, choosing my focus with intention, and trusting that impact doesn’t come from doing more – it comes from doing what matters.
That intention is guiding where I place my time. It is with my place: I want Merridale to continue being a place where people feel welcome. Where love shows up in shared meals, unhurried conversations, and moments worth remembering. February invites that kind of reflection. It’s a month that holds space for romance, for family, and for gathering in quieter, more meaningful ways. It’s also a reminder that these moments don’t happen by accident – they’re created when care and attention are given room to lead.
My focus is also with my team. I’m learning, over and over again, that leadership isn’t about being at the centre of everything. It’s about building the conditions for others to shine. When I slow down, listen, and offer support instead of direction, something powerful happens. Our team steps forward with confidence, creativity, and pride. They bring their own sense of care into the work. Merridale becomes stronger, warmer, and more human because of it.
You can see that shift taking shape in the way we’re approaching our marquee events this year. These moments aren’t about scale or spectacle. They’re about place. The Vancouver Island Whisky Festival, in particular, is rooted in the island itself. Behind the scenes, our team is working together in a way that feels deeply aligned: sharing ideas, leaning on one another, and shaping experiences that reflect the values we hold close.
Vancouver Island is home to me. It’s a place where people still smile when you pass them on a trail, lend a hand when it’s needed, and show up for one another. That sense of community -of quiet generosity and shared pride – is what I want every gathering at the farm to reflect. Whether it’s a Valentine’s dinner, a family day visit, or a whisky festival rooted in island terroir, these moments are created with love for this place and the people who make it what it is. And that, more than anything, is why we keep making space to come together.
