A new month is right around the corner, so this week I sat down with my digital journal to create a couple of spreads exclusively for May.
This month I’m focusing on three areas: hands-on projects, heart-centered refueling, and a fresh health goal (plus a little Memorial Day fun, too). Here’s a closer look:
Indoor + Outdoor Projects:
Every May, I feel an extra burst of energy for hands-on projects, especially outside. Last year, I loved digging into yard and patio clean-up, and I’m hoping to recreate that momentum. I created a simple page listing outdoor and indoor projects, so I can focus on one task at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
This year, my outdoor list includes things like:
Touching up the patio furniture
Laying down new mulch and gravel
Planting containers for the front entry
Steam-cleaning the patio cushions
Touching up the paint on the siding of the house
This list is indeed a bunch of chores, but few things give me greater satisfaction than a good before-and-after outdoor makeover, so it’s worth the effort.
My indoor project list includes:
Styling my kitchen shelves (see my note about decorating, below)
Touching up the base trim in my office (it’s seen better days)
Recaulking the kitchen
Updating my artwork
Shopping for upholstery fabric for my thrifted kitchen chairs
I may not get to all of these projects done, but having lists like this is really helpful for me. I can visualize what needs to be done, and just focus on taking it one project at a time.
Refilling My Tank:
Next to my project lists is the most heart-centered section of my journal.
I’ve been struggling with feeling burned out and running on an empty tank for a while now. To compensate, I’ve been trying to slow down with my commitments and the pace of my social life. This has been helpful, but rather than just cut back on things that take energy, I also want to do more of what refills my tank.
So I listed out the activities that nurture my spirit and found images to represent them. My list includes:
Spending time in nature
Enjoying quality couple time
Decorating
Journaling and planning (of course!)
Spiritual growth
Having this visual reminder is already helping—and I plan to treat it like a checklist throughout the month.
Winning the Weekend:
When it comes to health, my focus for May is simple: “win the weekend.” The goal is not to let my weekday workout and nutrition habits fall by the wayside over the weekend.
I seem to need this challenge this time of year—summer is right around the corner, and we’re all busy trying to cram things onto the calendar before summer break starts. I’ve noticed that this seasonal push puts extra strain on my discipline.
Here’s what I wrote in my intention box:
My goal is not to be overly strict, but to pace myself well during the week so that I’m not crashing into the weekend, and to shift my mindset to abundance.
In a nutshell, I don’t want to be overly intense or rigid with myself. I need to recharge and relax during the weekend! But lately, I’ve noticed that I’ve been slamming into the weekend on empty, and I want to change that so that I’ve still got a little gas in my discipline tank.
In addition to my intentions, I also created a super simple accountability tracker for myself. Four weeks, with four boxes each—two for Saturday and two for Sunday.
One box for each day is for movement—did I walk, stretch, or otherwise stay active?
The other box is nutrition—did I prioritize protein, fiber, and low-sugar options?
One month, sixteen little boxes to keep me grounded—It feels doable without being strenuous.
Memorial Day Weekend Plans:
Lastly, I’m also making space for celebration! I created a menu plan and a loose “playlist” of fun, low-key activities for Memorial Day weekend. It’s not about packing in plans—it’s about being ready to make simple, meaningful memories. And yes, there will be pie. 🍒
These May spreads feel like the best mix of heart and health, structure and spontaneity. Exactly how I want to live my life, one month at a time.
What about you?
What’s one small goal you’re setting for yourself this May? I’d love to hear.
Cheers to a new month of inspiring projects and fresh, spring energy!
~Steph
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