From Mother’s Day to Teacher Appreciation Week to End of School Year festivities, and that barely touches the surface, May is FULL. In fact, May is so busy it’s earned the nickname Maycember.
It can be stressful just thinking about it. But, I’m here to show you how to manage a busy schedule so you can relax and enjoy all the special moments.
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How to Manage Your Busy Schedule This May
There are so many holidays and special occasions that fall in the month of May:
- end of school
- prom
- teacher gifts
- graduations
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day
- bridal showers
- weddings
And, you want to do it all:
- buy all the gifts
- dress for all the occasions
- make all the people feel special
- do all the home projects
- and make all the guests feel welcomed
So, you wear yourself out, or as my mom says, run yourself ragged, trying to do all the things for all the people. The very thing you were trying to do, show up, gets overshadowed by your busy schedule. And being tired.
But, with a little planning and preparation, we can enjoy each moment.
6 Ways to Balance Your Schedule
First, let me say balance doesn’t necessarily mean equal time to all things. Instead, balancing your schedule will look more like using your time intentionally so you’re not rushed or overwhelmed.
Adjust your mindset
Busy is state of mind. In fact, a few years ago, I decided to reframe the busy seasons of life and think of them as “full” instead. As in, I have a rich, full life. That simple mindset switch has helped me slow down mentally, feel more balanced, and be so much more present in the moment, without having to take anything off my calendar.
Pace yourself
A friend of ours told us when he and his wife found out they were expecting a baby, he ran through the list of everything they needed to do to prepare and decided he needed to do them all…right then. Later, he was able to laugh at the fact he was cramming nine months of work into one night.
You’ll save yourself a lot of stress if you write out a list of what you need to accomplish, then add those tasks to your calendar. Be sure to leave enough time so everything is done before the actual event. Then, tackle the list one task at a time. And, be ruthless with what is allowed on your to-do list. If it isn’t necessary, ain’t nobody got time for that.
Plan your outfits
Save yourself the stress and overwhelm of trying to figure out what to wear, especially at the last minute. Take into account the weather and type of event you’re going to. And instead of spending money on a different outfit for each event, try styling the same dress or pants multiple ways. (Hey, if you feel good, you’ll look good. Besides, no one is going to notice.) Make purchases to fill in the gaps where you need to.
If you need help putting together an outfit, I highly recommend this Spring Capsule Wardrobe. It comes with a month of outfit ideas including dress it up and dress it down suggestions for each one. Another option is to use an outfit planning app like the Stylebook App or Closet App.
Use Lists
I personally use and love the Cozi app for making lists. Lists help organize your thoughts which saves you on time, money and energy. Some lists you may need for the month of May include party planning, to-do’s, clothes shopping, and gift giving (teachers, graduation, bridal showers, weddings, Mother’s Day). Here are a few gift ideas to get you started.
- Gift Ideas For Moms – We put too much pressure on ourselves to get Mom the perfect gift. Let yourself off the hook with one of these gift ideas.
- Gift Ideas For Teachers – I can tell you from personal experience that teachers don’t expect all the fanfare that exists today between teacher appreciation week and end-of-the-year teacher gifts. So, don’t give into the pressure. (“Just say no.” ) A handwritten, heartfelt note of appreciation, from both the parent and the student, goes a long way. So does a bottle of wine. 😉
- Gift Ideas For Graduates – Let’s face it. High school and college graduates want money. In fact, they need it. So, why not give it to them? I know giving money can feel boring and uneventful, but it’s exciting for the graduate. My daughter, Hannah, was elated over her monetary gifts, and they helped her (and us) a lot as she settled into her freshman year of college.
Be sure to allow time for shipping if you need to mail the gift. You can keep gift wrapping simple with a signature gift wrap. I recommend always using a certain color pr pattern wrapping paper or gift bag.
Delegate Your To-Do List
You don’t have to do it all. In fact, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Take advantage of delivery services.
- Hire out certain jobs.
- Let friends or family help.
That last idea is a great way to provide your kids a sense of pride and ownership in the household.
You’re either going to thank me or hate me for this last tip, but I’ve found it to be crucial.
Planned breaks
Taking a little time for yourself will help you be more present and enjoy the moments as they happen. I’ve been known to hang out at a wine bar with friends while enjoying live music when I “should” have been getting the house ready to host. Because, rest is necessary.
Whether it’s rocking on the front porch, sipping hot tea, or taking a deep breath, take a moment to recharge. Schedule these breaks right along with the rest of May. Otherwise, they won’t happen.
With a little intentional planning, I’m convinced you can enjoy the month of May and all that comes with it.
For more beneficial planning and time management tips, read:
- 5 Secrets to Being a Great Host (for planning a graduation party)
- Unique Dorm Room Gift Ideas
- 17 Thoughtful Gift Ideas for Mom
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