Cue Bon Jovi’s Livin’ on a Prayer because, yes, we are officially halfway through Mental Health Awareness Month.
And if you’re anything like the rest of us—Gen Z juggling school and social life, millennials surviving corporate burnout, first-time parents about to face the Hunger Games of summer break, or just someone figuring out what ‘self-care’ actually means—you could probably use a minute to breathe and check in with yourself.
The Halfway Point: How Are You Really Doing?
Here’s the thing: we all start May with good intentions.
We journal for a week, meditate twice, and maybe even go for that long walk we keep telling ourselves we’ll take. But by the time mid-month rolls around, we’re back to running on autopilot—stress, exhaustion, and maybe a little doomscrolling for good measure.
Now is the perfect time to pause and take stock. Not in the “everything is perfect” way, but in the messy, real way. Grab a pen, pull out your Notes app, or just think on this:
- What’s been draining you the most so far this month? (Spoiler: It’s probably not just work.)
- When did you feel the most grounded or at peace? (And how can you bottle that up for later?)
- Have you been prioritizing your mental health, or has it been an afterthought?
- What’s one thing you can do differently for the rest of the month?
The Calm Before the Storm (AKA Summer Break)
If you’ve got kids, you know what’s coming.
School’s about to let out, and with it, the end of your semi-structured days. Expect a healthy dose of Are we there yet?, I’m bored, and Why can’t I have ice cream for breakfast? This isn’t just a test of patience—it’s a test of mental health.
So before the chaos starts, set yourself up with some non-negotiables:
- Daily Moments of Peace – Whether it’s five minutes with your coffee before anyone wakes up or a quiet walk after dinner, make it sacred.
- Boundaries Like a Boss – You don’t have to say yes to every playdate, BBQ, or family gathering. (Yes, even if Aunt Linda insists.)
- One Thing Just for You – Read a chapter of a book, call a friend, lock yourself in the bathroom for 10 minutes of uninterrupted silence—whatever it takes.
Setting the Stage for Future Months
If you’re rolling your eyes thinking, That’s cute, but I’m just trying to make it through the day, hear us out. This mid-month check-in isn’t just about surviving May—it’s about building the blueprint for every month after.
Think about it like leveling up in a video game. If May is Level 1, what did you learn? What tools do you need for Level 2? How can you make next month feel a little less like Groundhog Day and a little more like Eat Pray Love? (Minus the spontaneous trips to Bali, but hey, a girl can dream.)
TL;DR – Here’s Your Mid-Month Mental Health Homework:
- Reflect: Be honest with yourself about how you’re really doing.
- Adjust: Pick one thing you can change for the rest of the month.
- Prepare: Set boundaries and routines before summer chaos hits.
- Repeat: Make this check-in a monthly ritual.
You Got This. We Got You.
So here’s to finishing May stronger, more grounded, and a little less frazzled. And if not? Well, there’s always June.
