So why all of a sudden do I notice the sentiment changing? What has changed in the last couple of days in the grand scheme of things?

For the same reason people change cars or get in a different mood at this time of the year, Its proven in early March-April that people begin to get some perspective of the months to come so some realize their short-term or mid-term objectives are not going to realize or what they need to acquire for the summer period so they change things in their life.