Your May Moves: The 3 Smartest Life Decisions to Make This Month
May isn’t just about flowers blooming and iced coffee making its grand return. It’s the ultimate decision-making month that sets the tone for your summer (and beyond). Whether you’re planning that dream getaway, contemplating a career leap, or getting your wellness back on track before summer, May is the month to take action without regret.
Here are the top three categories to focus on this May—and what you need to consider (precisely) before making those big moves.
1. Summer Travel & Vacation Planning: Make the Most of the Sunshine
Why May? Because June sneaks up fast. Booking now gives you better deals, more availability, and fewer travel-induced meltdowns.
Top Criteria to Consider (Ranked by Importance – with number metrics labeled for direction):
Budget Range
- Description: Decide your total spend, including flights, lodging, meals, and excursions—and stick to it.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Total trip cost in USD
Refund Policies
- Description: Prioritize bookings with free cancellation or credits to protect against sudden changes.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Percent of bookings that are fully refundable
Travel Insurance
- Description: Ensure coverage for cancellations, delays, or emergencies to reduce financial risk.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Total value of insurance coverage in USD
Destination Safety
- Description: Use official travel advisories to confirm political stability and health conditions.
- Measurement [List – Lower is better]: U.S. State Department safety level
- Level 4: Do not travel
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
Health of Destination
- Description: Review the overall health landscape of your destination—including disease outbreaks, vaccination requirements, food and water safety, sanitation, and air quality ratings.
- Measurement [List – Lower is better]: Health advisory level
- Level 4: Avoid Nonessential Travel
- Level 3: Alert
- Level 2: Watch
- Level 1: None
Itinerary Flexibility
- Description: Leave some wiggle room for rest and spontaneous fun—over-scheduling kills joy.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Percentage of itinerary left unscheduled
Group Compatibility
- Description: Align on pace, activities, and budget to reduce conflict.
- Measurement [Score]: Group alignment score from pre-trip planning survey (scale of 1–100)
Work/PTO Alignment
- Description: Cross-check travel dates with your team’s calendar to prevent disruptions.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Number of PTO days required
Seasonal Weather
- Description: Research weather patterns at your destination to avoid monsoons or unbearable heat.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of predicted dry days
Emergency Care Available
- Description: Evaluate the availability of urgent and emergency healthcare services at your destination, including hospitals, clinics, and ambulance response.
- Measurement [List – Higher is better]: Emergency care availability level
- Level 4: Full emergency care available (hospitals, clinics, ambulance)
- Level 3: Basic care with limited emergency services
- Level 2: Minimal care access (small clinic or first aid only)
- Level 1: No reliable emergency care access
2. Educational & Career Transitions: Level Up with Confidence
Why May? It’s graduation season, hiring season, and a natural mid-year checkpoint. Whether job-hunting or schooling up, now is the time to pivot smartly.
Top Criteria to Consider (Ranked by Importance):
Clarity of Goals
- Description: Know whether you’re seeking growth, stability, money, or flexibility—then rank them.
- Measurement [Score]: Self-assessment clarity score (1–100 scale)
Industry Demand
- Description: Research market trends and job growth to ensure you enter a stable field.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Job growth rate for target field (percentage)
Salary Benchmarks
- Description: Use sources like Glassdoor or Payscale to determine what your target roles should pay.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Median salary in target role (USD)
Training or Certification Needs
- Description: Know if additional credentials are needed to be competitive.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Number of new certifications required
Networking Plan
- Description: Identify key people to connect with this month to increase opportunity flow.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of professional contacts actively reached out to
Cost of Transition
- Description: Budget for expenses like moving, course fees, or temporary unemployment.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Estimated total transition cost in USD
Work-Life Impact
- Description: Evaluate how the change will affect your time, stress, and relationships.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Expected weekly hours worked
Relocation Distance
- Description: Distance in miles from your closest friends or family members.
- Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Distance in miles
Exit Strategy
- Description: Ensure your notice, timing, and handoff plan are solid while minimizing overlap or excessive transition time.
- Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Weeks of notice planned
Decision Deadline
- Description: Set a hard date to commit so you don’t stay stuck in analysis mode.
- *Measurement [Number – Lower is better]: Number of days until final decision
3. Health & Lifestyle Reset: Because Summer Energy Hits Differently
Why May? The weather gets friendlier, daylight lasts longer, and the looming reality of swimsuit season brings focus. No shame—just timing.
Top Criteria to Consider (Ranked by Importance):
Fitness Routine Fit
- Description: Pick an exercise schedule that matches your time, location, and motivation level.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of workouts per week
Nutritional Alignment
- Description: Choose a sustainable meal plan you can realistically follow through summer.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of healthy meals consumed per week
Mental Health Check-In
- Description: Evaluate stress levels and consider therapy or mindfulness practices if needed.
- Measurement [Score]: Self-reported average weekly stress rating (1–100 scale)
Medical Checkups
- Description: Book physicals, dental cleanings, and any overdue screenings now.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of essential appointments booked
Sleep Schedule Reset
- Description: Use the longer days to build a consistent bedtime and wake time.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of nights with at least 7 hours of sleep per week
Progress Tracking
- Description: Use measurable goals (e.g., 10k steps/day, 3 workouts/week) to stay on track.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of days tracked in a habit tracker each month
Hydration Habits
- Description: Set a daily water intake goal and track it for consistency.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Average ounces of water consumed per day
Social Support
- Description: Get friends or family on board with goals for accountability and fun.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of accountability partners actively supporting your goals
Risk Reduction Plan
- Description: List known health risks (family history, recent labs) and build actions around them.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of risk areas with a mitigation action in place
Celebrate Wins
- Description: Build in non-food rewards to motivate and sustain your effort.
- *Measurement [Number – Higher is better]: Number of intentional non-food rewards planned per month
Final Thought
May is more than a pit stop between spring and summer—it’s your launchpad. Your decision now reduces future stress, saves money, and unlocks more freedom to enjoy the months ahead. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for preparedness.
Let this be the month you move forward with clarity, joy, and just the right amount of SPF.