In January I suggested we “write a book together” this year and pitched the idea of assigning each month a chapter title.
So far, I’ve had:
- January – Steady: Finding Solid Ground After a Year of Drowning
- February – Busy (with Intention): Making Time for Things that Provide Joy, Energy, and Thrill
- March – Up and Down: Trying to Enjoy the View from Life’s Rollercoaster
- April – Spring Cleaning: Unpacking My Bags and Tidying Up (Oh, and Look At Those Pretty Flowers!)
May is my birthday month. I’m a naturally reflective, introspective person but I think these tendencies hit peak intensity in May when I realize another year is – *Poof* – gone.
Providentially, the assigned Bible reading on my birthday happened to be Ecclesiastes. Ironic indeed. It has long been my favourite book of the Bible but I hadn’t read through it in a few years; turns out I still love it.
In honour of the wisdom in that book – Solomon is basically the epitome of an optimistic pessimist – and in honour of the fact I did indeed follow his most famous nugget of wisdom, I present my chapter title:
May – Reflection: Another Trip Around the Sun – Let’s Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Your turn. How would you label Chapter Five (May 2024)?
Header photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
mbmom11
My May title: Sunshine and Shadow: A good start, but there should have been ominous music playing.
Elisabeth
The audiobook version will have moody music cued for this chapter title…
Argh. Sorry for the shadow to your sunshine.
Jan Coates
“One Foot Firmly Planted in Each of My Two Worlds.”
Elisabeth
Love it!
Elinoora
May – IKEA, time for a break and preparing for the party
The party in this case refers to what we call a ‘Spring Party’ – not sure the translation is great, but it’s a coming of age ritual in Belgium, offered as an alternative for a Christian Confirmation by the Humanistic Association. As my oldest turned 12 this year, I wanted him to have this kind of ritual, as a ‘welcome to the wider world, here are some guiding principles to keep growing’.
Elisabeth
I love IKEA and I love breaks (not so much parties, I will admit). But it sounds like a jam packed month worth celebrating!
Jenny
Hmm! My May was all over the place- sooo busy, then my son came home, I ran a race, then had a laid back last week… Maybe my title would be “May- The Longest Month.” I just feel like SO much happened!
Elisabeth
You had A LOT going on in May (you very much had one of those Maycembers). Here’s hoping June is a chance to breathe.
NGS
May: On the Road Again
I’ll never be able to think of May 2024 without thinking of the HOURS and HOURS I spent driving.
Elisabeth
And now I that Willie Nelson song in my head.
May was a rough, exhausting one for you. I’m hoping June brings some relief. I know you worked hard to enjoy and celebrate the little rays of sunshine that poked through the clouds. Sending hugs.
ccr in MA
Given that I took a fun trip for the first time in months, my May title should be Hit the Road, Have Some Fun! June so far is a little bumpy as I get back into everyday life, but hopefully that will smooth out soon.
Elisabeth
It is SO hard to come back from a trip or vacation. I know that going in and yet I still struggle every single time.
Hoping the transition smooths out quickly and Yay for fun trips!!! It always takes effort to carve out that time and make the arrangements, so gold stars to you 🙂
Colleen Martin
My title for that crazy month…”It’s Not You, It’s May”
Elisabeth
You had quite a May! And you’re right – it’s the month to blame 😉
Suzanne
May: Utter Chaos
I feel like May lasted a thousand years and I spent at least nine hundred of those years in the car. 😂
Elisabeth
Ooof. That is a lot of years in the car 😉
It sounds like you were part of Maycember. Onward and upward to more relaxation in May.
Daria
May: busy and overwhelmed.
Elisabeth
I can only imagine May from the position of both a parent AND a teacher. You must be exhausted. The finish line is in sight!
Lisa's Yarns
May: a tale of two months.
I say that because I traveled 2 of the 3 first weeks of the month after traveling the last 3 weeks of April (1 of which was a vacation but was still time away). Then after my travel life kind of slowed down a bit and I felt like I could catch my breath!
Elisabeth
I am so glad you have a current stretch at home. You very much needed that and had an incredibly intense, rough stretch there with personal loss, health issues, and ALL THAT TRAVEL.
Nicole MacPherson
All Of The Weeds! Not just literal, but also metaphorical weeds; I’ve been thinking of the extraneous things I am weeding out of my life.
One of the podcasts I listen to uses the term “reseat your theatre” which means that more important people get a seat at the front of the theatre, and people who are less of a priority get seated in one of the balconies. I think about this a lot because I think we can all get pulled in all directions, and it helps to figure out what and who is important in our lives. Does that make sense? Between that and my weeding metaphors, it means I’m making room for what/ who is important to me.
Elisabeth
What a brilliant image. Love it. And we really do have to reset, don’t we. Things have a way of getting distorted; priorities both in terms of people and activities get out of whack.
Love that you’re making room for the important things and consciously releasing things that are crowding out the proverbial flowers.
Gigi
May: She lives a quiet life (maybe too quiet)
Elisabeth
Is there even such a thing as too quiet (asks the introvert?)…
San
May: Marriage Milestones 🙂
Also: how is it May again already?
Elisabeth
Yes! Two big marriage milestones. I’m so glad you were able to get back to Germany for the extra special milestone for your parents <3
Kyria @ Travel Spot
My former boss was a huge fan of Ecclesiastes; he used to come in after bible study raving about it!
Here is mine, plus a recap. I chose this, as I am now in Alberta! I was in BC for over a month, so it feels like the next step in the journey to cross over the border line!
Chapter One – January: Everything Must Go!
Chapter Two – February: The Life Changing Event
Chapter Three – March: A New Beginning
Chapter Four – April: An Unquenched Hunger
Chapter Five – May: The Next Province
Elisabeth
It’s pretty awesome and, even if you’re not a Christian, I think it is just FULL of sage advice.
Wow! How exciting – you’re in Alberta!
Stephany
Whew, May. It was quite the month: my boss came back from maternity leave (which I was SO happy about; I missed her!), I dealt with some health issues with myself and my cat, and I went on vacation! So maybe May would be titled, “Highs & Lows.”
Tobia | craftaliciousme
It is so hard to condense one month into a title. I am drawing blank right now.
But reading all through yours it’s interesting to see them lined after another. They do tell a story, don’t they.