I can’t reflect on my May journey without starting with Mother’s Day. This year was extra special—we not only celebrated the moms in the family but also marked both of my children’s birthdays (and no, I won’t admit how old they are… because that would mean admitting how old I am—OUCH!). Our tradition of a crab and shrimp boil continued, and as always, it was a delicious meal. What made it even more meaningful was having four generations of my family together under one roof. The best gift I can ever ask for is a day filled with laughter, chaos, and love from my wonderfully crazy bunch. This is the best form of mental self-care for me.

For social and intellectual self-care, I launched my online book club for family and friends, bringing a longtime idea to life.  Some learning had to take place for me to launch and host this event, but the result was worth it. It was wonderful to have family members, very dear long-term friends, and new friends all come together to read and share our thoughts on the book “Whose Names Are Unknown” by Sonora Babb. Next week, I will release my book reviews for the books I read in May, and this one is included.

My financial goal for May was to spend less than $700 dollars on food by using what we had in the freezers. I was concerned about meeting this goal because we hosted a crab boil on Memorial Day, but I am proud to announce that we only spent $647! I used so many items out of the freezer that they all looked bare by the end of the month, but I enjoyed this challenge.

Finally, as part of my physical self-care focus, I’ve continued my yoga practice and regular sessions of water walking and aerobics. These gentle but effective movements have become an essential part of my routine. I’m already feeling the results—gaining strength and experiencing a noticeable decrease in pain. It’s a reminder that consistency, even in small steps, can lead to real, lasting change.

May was a calming and enjoyable chapter in my Year of Me journey, a month that brought peace, joy, and a renewed sense of balance. With time spent celebrating loved ones, starting new projects, and enjoying simple pleasures, I was reminded that self-care doesn’t always have to be grand. It just needs to be intentional. Now, let’s take a look at what I have planned for June.

June marks the start of summer break for most educators.  When I decided to return to work part-time, I said I would only do it if I had most of my summer off. The sad thing is that summer break is now two months off and not the three that I had when I first began my teaching career, but it is still a great time to enjoy life with fewer concerns.  This June is extra special due to the much-anticipated arrival of my third granddaughter. My areas of self-care for June are environmental, intellectual, and physical.

In June, I’m focusing on environmental self-care by getting outside and enjoying the beauty Colorado has to offer. I plan to spend time working in the yard. This is something I have to psych myself up to do, but I always love the end results. I’m also looking forward to more park adventures with my granddaughter, where smiles abound. And yes, I’m even going to attempt to walk my wild dogs. While everyone in Colorado seems to have perfectly trained pups, mine think they’re on a sled team. But hey, fresh air is fresh air—even if I’m being dragged through the neighborhood!

We often find ourselves faking it until we make it, and that’s how I’ve felt about my photography skills. It’s time to learn some photography skills and discover how to best utilize the equipment I already own. To that end, my intellectual goal is to improve my photography skills through reading, instructional videos, and practice.  I hope that in the months to come, you will see an improvement in the quality of the images used in this blog.

Lastly, I’m setting a physical self-care goal of losing 2 inches overall by June 14th. To get there, I’m stepping up my exercise routine and being more mindful about what’s on my plate. That means swapping out the snacks and adding more fresh fruits and veggies into my meals—nourishing my body from the inside out. It’s not just about the inches; it’s about feeling stronger, healthier, and more energized as I continue this Year of Me journey.

I am thrilled about everything I have planned for June as part of my Year of Me journey. Still, nothing compares to the anticipation of meeting my new granddaughter. As I continue to focus on self-care and personal growth, this beautiful addition to our family brings a whole new layer of joy and purpose. Welcoming her into the world will be the highlight of not just my month but my entire year.