10 Joyful Things About May

May (tied with October) is my favorite month of the year!

In Simple Abundance, author Sarah Ban Breathnach begins her chapter on the month of May with the quote by Francis Quarles that says, “Let all thy joys be as the month of May”. How true a sentiment, is that?

Here are 10 joyful things about May for me—see if any resonate with you!

#1: May Day

May 1st begins with such joy with the celebration of May Day!

The Farmer’s Almanac writes that, historically, May Day takes its roots from pre-Christians in Europe. The Gaelics, for example, celebrated the holiday of Beltaine. It marked the halfway point between spring equinox and the summer solitice, and bonfires were often built to celebrate this holiday!

The Almanac states that, “May Day was rooted in agriculture. Springtime festivities filled with song and dance celebrated the sown fields starting to sprout. Cattle were driven to pasture, special bonfires were lit, and doors of houses as well as livestock were decorated with yellow May flowers.”

By the Middle Ages, The Farmer’s Almanac says the tradition of dancing around the May Pole was popular. May Day celebrations also included flower crowns and crowning a May Queen!

#2: The Weather

May weather—especially mid to late May weather— is so glorious! It’s warm without being too hot, it’s sunshine-filled, and it’s a wonderful feeling of springtime!

There’s a song by Rosemary Clooney that goes, “On the first warm day, on the first warm day in May…” that just sums up the weather in May so well. Listen to “On The First Warm Day” here!

#3: Smiling, Happy People

As the days get warmer and lighter, there seems to be a sense of joy radiating from people more than in the colder months. There just seems to be more smiles and upbeat feelings during this month and that is so welcome after the colder, more inward months of winter and autumn.

There’s a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh that says,

#4:Mother’s Day

Here in the U.S., mid-May celebrates Mother’s Day!

It’s a day that, in my personal history, meant mom was queen for the day. However, as I have grown up, I have realized that Mother’s Day truly is such a beautiful day to celebrate all the mother figures in our lives. If you are a mother, or not, or wish to be one, Mother’s Day is a day that celebrates you.

This day celebrates the fact that you— at some point in your life— have served a mother role for someone. That may be helping someone feel better when they were sad/hurt/sick, offering a kind smile or words to someone when they needed it or had the chance to teach a child a lesson about this beautiful life.

Mother’s day is a day for all. Because at some point, we have served as a mother figure in some way for someone when they needed it!

I think Mother’s Day is a day to honor our feminine nature. Honor the need for humans to look after humans and the need for gentleness, love, compassion and caring in our world!

Plus, it is a chance to say thank you to all those who served as a mother figure for you in your life!

#5: Seeing (+ Hearing!) the Leaves Come Back

I LOVE when I hear the leaves rustle in the wind again. After months and months of the trees without, it is so wonderful to see the leaves make their return again, and hear the special sound again when the wind blows and causes them to rustle again.

Interestingly, there is even a word created to describe this sound of the wind moving through the leaves: psithurism!

#6: Springtime Hygge

Hygge is something I have talked about in this space a few times, but to summarize, hygge is much like contentment.

According to Hygge House,

While it is oftentimes associated with wintertime, hygge can be year-around!

#7: Springtime Hikes

With the warmer temperatures, more daylight, and better weather, I love that in May people really start venturing outside more than in the previous months. It’s exciting to see the buzz of getting to spend more time outside!

There really is something so joyful about being outside in nature, and soaking in Mother Earth’s beauty!

I especially love hiking in the springtime because it allows you to see all the new nature making its appearance once again after its winter rest. Smelling the flowers, hearing the waterfalls, feeling the warm sunshine on your face, listening to the leaves blow in the wind, and just getting to be outside in such pleasant weather—it truly is such a joy to go hiking in the springtime.

So—in a joyful way—take a hike!

#8: Lilacs

May brings so many wonderful flowers, but of all the flowers in the world—lilacs (which make their appearance in May where I grew up)—are my ultimate favorite.

 Perhaps it is the smell, or the look, or how they grow in such large bunches, but either way…. I feel such an inner joy when I get to see the lilacs once again!

In the book, Lilacs, author Naomi Slade writes that lilacs originally came from Central and Eastern Europe as well as Asia. Thought to have humble beginnings, lilacs were not highly prized until they were planted in the Courts of Istanbul and Ambassador Ogier Ghiselin saw them and returned to Austria and planted one. Later, it is told, he brought a lilac with him to Paris which then kickstarted the French’s love for this wonderful flower! Slade writes that regardless of whether this is true or not, France did have a love for lilacs in the 19th century. Eventually, the lilac love swept across the globe!

In my post on 10 flowers with the symbolism of joy, I wrote about the history of flower symbolism. Interestingly—according to the book, The Complete Language of Flowers— the lilac has several different symbolisms behind it, including fraternal love, humility, memory, and the first emotion of love.

If you love lilacs, too, you can actually join the International Lilac Society!

#9: Getting to Gather Outside

Gathering is so joyful in and of itself, but there is a certain excitement when you realize, we can eat/talk/etc. outside! There’s such a fun feeling of getting to break out the lawn furniture, grab a blanket, or just make the choice to be outside for your gathering!

Fresh air, bonfires, watching the stars, feeling the warm breeze—all of it make up the excitement of getting to gather—once again— outside!

#10: Planting the Garden

Growing up, we always planted our garden on Memorial Day weekend. As such, I always associate this exciting endeavor with this month!

There’s something so magical about the planting of the garden. Thinking about what you want to grow, planting the seeds and waiting for it all to grow.

It truly is a miraculous thing if you take a step back and appreciate it. What all can grow from one tiny seed—it’s also a wonderful metaphor for life!

• May Birthflower: Lily-of-the-Valley
• May Birthstone: Emerald
• Nailpolish: Lilac Luster
• Full Moon: Flower Moon
• May Color Palette
• Music: waking up and realizing it’s spring again./classical, Classically British and Classical Garden
• Read these May quotes: Perfect May Quotes for 2022
• Eat seasonally: What’s in season: May

What’s something you find joyful about May? Let us know below!