If December is known for being packed with events, obligations, and emotional overload, then May—especially for parents, teachers, and students—deserves its own label: Maycember. It’s the season of awards nights, final projects, sports banquets, graduation parties, teacher gifts, and a calendar that seems to mock your need for sleep and margin. And unlike December, May comes without the cozy music, festive lights, or baked-in permission to rest.
So how do we survive the chaos of May without slipping into anxiety, exhaustion, or resentment?
If you’re wondering whether this “Maycember” thing is real, allow me to offer Exhibit A from my own life. One sunny afternoon, we had our child’s piano recital and choir concert scheduled on the same day… thirty minutes apart… on opposite sides of town. Naturally, the recital ran long, and suddenly we found ourselves in the kind of family frenzy that turns minivans into chariots of desperation.
Let’s just say: we treated speed limits as “gentle suggestions” on the drive across town. Please note—I do not endorse breaking traffic laws. But when your kid’s wearing dress shoes and trying to warm up their vocal cords in the back seat while someone else is Googling directions and someone else is praying out loud… you do what you must.
We skidded (responsibly) into the parking lot, ushered our slightly frazzled child into the building, and took our seats just in time to hear the opening note. Success? Sort of. Sanity intact? Debatable. But that, my friends, is the spirit of Maycember.
When the schedule feels relentless, it’s easy to believe that everything is urgent and everything matters equally. But that’s rarely the case. Not every event requires your full presence, and not every commitment is worth your peace. One simple practice is to sit down at the beginning of each week and prayerfully ask: What is truly necessary? What will matter a month from now? Give yourself permission to say no—or “not this year”—to things that don’t align with your values or capacity.
Biblical wisdom offers more than just a moral compass—it offers an invitation to stillness. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) is more than a verse to decorate your coffee mug. It’s a soul-deep call to anchor yourself in the reality that God is in control, even when life is swirling.
Another comforting passage in this season is Matthew 11:28–30, where Jesus says, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In Maycember, we often come to our calendars or caffeine to carry us through. But Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him—not just our spiritual ones, but our overstuffed schedules and emotional fatigue, too.
Consider implementing one or two emotional health practices to stay grounded:
Perfection isn’t required. A store-bought teacher gift is fine. Missing one of three end-of-year parties isn’t the end of the world. The pressure to do it all often stems from a fear of not being enough—but you already are, in Christ. His grace is sufficient for May, too.
So, take a breath, mark up the calendar, laugh at the chaos (especially your own), and remember: Maycember is a season—not a life sentence. You’re not alone in it, and you don’t have to survive it in your own strength.
For an additional and humorous take on “Maycember Madness” consider the way the Holderness Family handles it! Welcome to Maycember
Author’s Note: This article utilized AI technology to streamline the writing process, with all final content and editorial decisions made by the author.
Ryan serves as the Director of Luma Counseling. With over a decade of counseling experience, he’s passionate about walking with people through life’s challenges. In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, tennis, Kentucky basketball, and escaping to quiet outdoor spaces.
