carrying music with me

20 Feb, 2026

I've been carrying around my iPod and headphones again, listening to music even on my short walk to work. For the past few years, I had gotten out of the habit of doing that. I would prefer to sit down at home to listen to music, leaving my headphones on my desk. I remembered, though, how I used to, back when I was a teenager and in my early twenties, always have a soundtrack for my day. Those were years when I was very inspired, and then as I aged, I became more serious, and less like that old self, looking up at trees as I walked with someone's voice in my head, singing along faintly, becoming so familiar with an album that I had favorite parts of songs, rather than favorite songs.

I'd think of photographs or ideas for series as I listened to music. Then I would go and fill journals with those ideas, and try and realize them with my DSLR or 35mm camera. Music made a short trip to a grocery store a cinematic experience, the muffled ambience of the streets happening around me, hands in pockets, the feeling of the iPod in my pocket, the way I led the cable under a shirt or under my jacket, buttoned against the elements, so that it wouldn't catch on anything.

Music always helped me appreciate the beauty of the world around me, and I think that's where I went wrong. As I got older, I kept the music inside. I made improvements to my turntable, stereo, my record collection grew. Pretty soon, I started leaving my camera at home too. I began driving more, blocking out the sounds of the streets around me, the feel of the wind cold against my face.

I think I sort of remembered that same young person is still in there, and needs to be inspired. So I'll carry my music around with me again.