March 2014 Self-Portrait: Slow Down, Baby

Contrary to my hopefulness projected in February's portrait, there are no blossoms yet. Bummer. I've been on spring break these past two weeks though, which provided a much needed respite from routines and commitments. Sometimes, you just need to press the pause button on life.

I spent a few days with my mom on the Cape last week and used the 4-hour solo car ride each way to unabashedly belt songs off-key while pondering every possible thought under the sun. Since returning, I've balanced my free time between a bit of photography-related work and lots of unscheduled nothingness. I was purposeful in choosing not to fill up this break with lofty ambitions, planned rendezvouses or multi-page lists: so far, it has felt so nice to just be.

I've felt my personal style shifting slightly in recent months. Since taking up yoga in January, I've transitioned to wearing a more comfortable everyday uniform: black leggings with flowing wraps or long cardigans over simple but structured t-shirts. I'm in the process of completely clearing out my closet and am feeling pretty ruthless about what stays and what goes. I find myself thinking that I'd like to stand in front of it when all is said and done and be able to pair any single item with any other item to make a suitable outfit. Succinctly, I'm keeping only classics that meet this criteria: 1). fit well; 2). make me feel good; and 3). don't require major upkeep (who likes ironing?). I've never been super high-maintenance and I'm beginning to realize that my wardrobe doesn't need to be either.

March is over in five days. While I'm eager for the lighter spirit and sweetness that accompanies the months ahead, I also can't help but think about how important it is to embrace a slower pace and mindset. Before we know it, December will be here and we'll all be scratching our heads and wondering where 2014 went. I don't want to live my life waiting for the next thing.

Country artist Trace Adkins croons a popular tune called "You're Gonna Miss This," the lyrics of which I've considered a lot recently.

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days
Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this.

Something for all of us to mull, I think.