We’re five months into the year, and if you’re anything like me… you probably had big plans for 2025. Maybe even a word of the year, a long list of goals, or just a general “I want to be better” mindset. Which—let’s be honest—is pretty relatable. Who doesn’t want to be better?

But somewhere between January 1st and now, life happened. The energy faded. The routines didn’t always stick. And truthfully? I lost track of it all.

Why May Is the Perfect Time to Pause and Reflect

May sits in this sweet spot: far enough from January’s hype to allow for perspective, yet early enough in the year to make meaningful changes. It’s like your life’s intermission—a time to check in, adjust the script, and re-enter the next act stronger.

There’s a reason “mid-year check-in” is trending right now. People are realizing that resolutions aren’t one-and-done. Real growth comes from realignment.

The Truth: I Lost My Way Too

In January, I didn’t have a clear word of the year. I just knew I wanted to improve. I wanted to be more intentional, healthier, more grounded. But I never fully defined what that looked like—and without clarity, goals tend to drift.

Fast forward to May, and I had to get brutally honest with myself: I needed a reset. Not a restart. Just a realignment.

My New Word of the Year: Boundary

After a little soul-searching, it hit me—my word for this year is now boundary.

Not the buzzy, Instagram version of boundaries. I mean the real, sometimes messy, uncomfortable ones. The kind that say:

• “No, I can’t do that right now.”
• “This isn’t healthy for me.”
• “My peace matters more than people-pleasing.”

Boundaries with time. With relationships. With social media. With work. Even with my own expectations.

My New Goal: Save

Not just money—though yes, financial wellness is absolutely on the list.

But also:

• Save myself from burnout by resting without guilt.
• Save my energy for people and projects that pour back into me. Sometimes you have to stop reaching out to see just how many dead plants you’ve been watering. And no, I’m not actually talking about plants.
• Save space for joy, for curiosity, for creativity.
• Save my mental health by slowing down and saying “no” more.

It’s less about deprivation and more about preservation.

5 Tips for Reevaluating Your Goals in May

If you’re feeling off-course, here’s how to realign without the guilt:

1. Audit Your January Goals
   Revisit what you wrote down—or meant to write down. Are those goals still aligned with who you are now?
2. Pick a New Word (If You Need One)
   Words grow with us. If yours doesn’t fit anymore, it’s okay to pick a new one. What word do you need right now?
3. Set Just One Core Goal
   Strip it back. What’s one goal that can anchor the rest of your year? One that touches every part of your life?
4. Be Honest Without Being Harsh
   You didn’t fail—you evolved. Life gets busy. Goals get buried. Give yourself grace as you regroup.
5. Write It Down & Make It Visible
   Sticky notes. Lock screen reminders. A note on your mirror. Keep your word and your goal in sight—literally.

It’s Okay to Get Off Track

Goals aren’t a rigid roadmap. They’re more like a compass. Sometimes you veer off course—but May is your cue to recalibrate. To slow down, get honest, and choose the direction that actually feels good.

Whether you lost sight of your word, your goals, or yourself—this is your moment to get back in alignment.

Because you are worth the pause. You are worth the plan. And you are allowed to begin again.