“A good month, March, with February blowing out the back door and spring waiting at the front. A good month for change.” – Joanne Harris
I loved some of the small changes you shared a few weeks ago in response to my prompt: “What’s one small change you’ve made in 2025?” Some of them were not so small, in fact. (We are cheering you on, Rachel!) But if you’ve been waiting for a prompt to start or stop something, or even take one tiny half-step forward, here it is: the dawn of March; chapter three of twelve. This is where the plot gets good.
It is also where we notice, as I did this morning, those brave daffodil sprouts making their way through the litter of leaves in the garden beds in the front yard. Is there anything more felicitous than a daffodil stem after months of flexing cold fingers in pockets and stamping numb feet against the earth? Its green is so generous; its determined rise almost unbearably sanguine. I want to push the leaves away from their tender stalks, but then I know they are hardier than they look, and everything is progressing as it should without my tampering hands.
Anyway, March. We are all in for your thaw.
What are your themes this month? I was writing at my desk with no lights on this morning — just the sunlight that filters through the window, which is not sufficient to fill the entire space, but I like it that way for my morning warm-up. It gives me the impression that I’m shooting from the hip. I don’t need to be precious or perfect with my words. I just let the pen do what it wants in the dim. As I wandered, I found myself drawn to that question: what are my themes for the month?
quality
Jo March energy
“actually I do have the time”
the crumbs I’ll miss
small changes for the better
make like the fox and practice resurrection (a la Wendell Berry)
Some of these are self-explanatory, I trust, but let me elaborate on two. “Actually I do have the time” — I am borrowing this from a mantra by my friend Aubrey: “Actually, life is beautiful and I do have the time.” I have found this to be the most helpful fingerhold this week. I am hurrying, I am feeling the usual push and pull of too many things on my plate, and I am inwardly chastising myself for stopping to look at the daffodils or laying on the mat in our home gym for a few minutes after finishing my workout. My inner manager: “Jen, move it.” My inner maker: “Actually, I do have the time.” A life where I can’t give myself a few minutes for a silent shavasana or a quick study of the auspiciousness of a daffodil bud (which is actually, as Mary Oliver made the case on my occasions, the same thing as praying) — no. I do not want that life. Actually I do have the time.
And “the crumbs I’ll miss”: I snapped a photo of my son last weekend, and as I was editing it, I noticed the ring of crumbs around his mouth — truthfully, his natural state. He is five and still I find myself wiping yogurt and chocolate from him daily. But as I looked at that photo, and at his sweet daffodil face, I thought: “One day I’ll miss those crumbs.” One day, and I don’t know when it will happen — it will be one of those invisible thefts of motherhood — I’ll realize “oh, he takes care of that himself now.” And I’ll miss those crumbs, those years of him still needing me to take care of him in that way. So I am noticing the crumbs, and the arch way my daughter looks when telling a funny story, and their tiny, perfect forms just as they are right now, and I am holding them to the light.
What are your March themes?
Post-Scripts.
+On making friendships in motherhood.
Shopping Break.
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+The kind of dress you can live in.
+A good time to buy outdoor furniture — al fresco dining season is not too far out! We love this teak dining table (this is the exact one we have), and it’s currently 25% off! (And you can refresh your seating with this chic set of navy cushions with white piping!)
+This sweet clutch is on its way to me for spring. I adore her! I can’t wait to coordinate with all my favorite butter yellow pieces. Imagine with my cashmere tee and Doen skirt! Spring loading.
+Speaking of butter yellow, you may know I have been hemming and hawing over the Le Monde Beryl flats in yellow, and then I discovered this look for less from Madewell and decided to grab those instead!
+Also at Madewell: OMG these rattan bags! I can’t decide between the green, blue, or natural…! SO CUTE.
+And back to my Doen skirt! I know I’ve been chatting a lot about it, and have already shared this great look for less, which a bunch of you have ordered. Gap also has a similar style at a great price and I discovered this cute blue variation for $69. I LOVE the way it’s styled with gray on the model; copying that immediately. (And also will obviously pair with my favorite gray tote!)
+Got these Easter jammies for my little chicks!
+A really pretty white dress – love the apron front.
+WOW this pink tweed jacket.
+New Zara discoveries: this denim cape shirt, this Alaia-vibes laser cut faux suede shirt (! — I’d wear over a white tee with white jeans and brown suede flats), and these nearly-sold-out flats.
+Asha has some beautiful new ready to wear pieces — love this caftan dress and this skirt and top set.
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