Surviving “Maycember”: Tips for Getting Through the End-of-Year Chaos

If December is known as the season of festive chaos—filled with glitter, gatherings, and to-do lists—then May deserves its own honorary mention as the other holiday-like whirlwind of the year. Only this one doesn’t come with cookies and carols.

Welcome to Maycember—a clever, slightly cheeky nickname for the frenzied stretch of time from mid-May through early June. It's the season where everything seems to happen at once. School concerts. Class parties. Graduations. Final exams. Spring sports championships. Teacher appreciation. Camp forms. Summer planning. Not to mention, you're still trying to hold down your job, run a household, and maybe even sleep once in a while.

And unlike December, there are no twinkling lights or cheerful playlists to soften the stress. Maycember just shows up uninvited and unapologetic, dragging its endless calendar alerts along for the ride.

If you’re someone with ADHD—or if you’re parenting a child who is neurodivergent—this time of year can feel especially overwhelming. The constant schedule shifts, last-minute changes, sensory overload, and demand for emotional regulation can feel like too much. And let’s be honest: it is a lot.

But here’s the good news: with a few intentional strategies, you can get through Maycember without burning out or losing sight of what really matters. Whether you’re trying to survive the school year, support your child, or just get to summer without collapsing, these tips are here to help.

Tip 1: Time-Block the Chaos

When everything feels urgent, the brain tends to freeze. This is especially true for folks with ADHD, who often struggle with prioritizing under pressure. That’s why one of the most powerful tools you can use during Maycember is time-blocking.

Instead of reacting to every task as it pops up, take control of your time by setting aside specific blocks each week for errands, emails, school forms, or whatever else keeps landing on your plate. It might be:

• A 20-minute “admin session” every morning before work

• A 90-minute block on Saturday to catch up on school tasks and birthday gifts

• A designated hour after dinner on Wednesdays to check the calendar, sign permission slips, or organize rides

Time-blocking reduces decision fatigue, increases follow-through, and creates breathing room in your schedule. Even better? It helps transform your to-do list from an overwhelming pile into manageable chunks.

Tip 2: Say No (Without the Guilt)

Here’s your permission slip: You do not have to say yes to everything. Not during Maycember. Not ever.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the pressure of being the “good parent,” the “available colleague,” or the “always-there friend.” But at what cost? When we say yes to everything, we drain our energy, attention, and bandwidth—leaving very little for the people and tasks that actually matter most.

So this season, practice the art of the gracious no. You don’t have to bake homemade cookies for every party. You don’t have to RSVP to every event. You don’t have to overextend yourself just to meet someone else’s expectations.

Instead, ask yourself:

What will I (or my child) remember about this in 10 years?
If the answer is “not much,” then it's probably not worth sacrificing your peace over.

Tip 3: Pack a “Go Bag”

When your calendar is packed and you're constantly on the move—from school drop-offs to soccer games to graduation events—preparation becomes your best friend.

One of the easiest ways to reduce stress and save time is to create a “Go Bag”. Think of it as your emergency backup kit for a chaotic day. Keep it in your car or by the door, stocked with things like:

• Healthy snacks

• Water bottles

• Sunscreen and bug spray

• A phone charger

• Tissues or wipes

• An extra notebook and pens

• A change of clothes for your kid (or you!)

• Headphones for quiet time on the go

This small act of prep can prevent meltdowns, save money on last-minute convenience stops, and help you feel a bit more in control—especially on the days when everything’s running behind.

Tip 4: Batch Your Tasks

ADHD brains often struggle with task-switching—jumping from one type of mental activity to another without losing momentum. That’s why batching similar tasks together can be such a powerful productivity tool.

Instead of writing one thank-you note today, ordering one gift tomorrow, and responding to one email on Friday, try setting aside one focused block of time to knock out all your similar tasks in one go.

Here’s how it might look:

• Set a timer for 45 minutes

• Turn on music, light a candle, or grab a favorite drink

• Write all your thank-you cards

• Then order all your end-of-year gifts at once

• Then respond to all the school or work emails

You’ll feel more focused, waste less time, and experience the satisfaction of crossing multiple things off your list in one session.

Tip 5: Find Micro-Moments of Peace

You don’t need an hour-long bath or a weekend away to recharge. (Although, wouldn’t that be nice?)

Sometimes, the most impactful self-care comes in the form of tiny, intentional pauses. Especially during high-stress seasons, giving your nervous system regular “breaks” can reduce irritability, improve focus, and protect your emotional well-being.

Here are some quick ways to reset during Maycember:

• Take 3 deep breaths before opening the next email

• Sit in silence for 2 minutes in your car before heading inside

• Stretch your body between errands or meetings

• Sip your coffee slowly—without multitasking

• Step outside and notice 3 things you see, hear, or smell

These tiny moments help your body and mind regulate. They won’t erase the to-do list—but they will help you meet it with more calm.

Bonus Tip: Embrace “Good Enough”

During Maycember, perfection is the enemy of progress. You might forget a form. You might buy store-bought cupcakes. You might send a thank-you text instead of a handwritten card. Guess what? That’s okay.

Especially for neurodivergent individuals, perfectionism can be paralyzing—and counterproductive. It adds shame and pressure when what you really need is support and flexibility.

So instead of asking:

Did I do it all perfectly?
Ask:
Did I show up with love and effort, given what I had?

Because that’s what people remember. Not the fancy gift wrap or the gourmet cookies—but the way you showed up, even when you were stretched thin.

Wrap-Up: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Maycember can feel like a two-month-long sprint with no finish line in sight. But you are making it through.

With every lunch packed, every form signed, every meltdown navigated, and every bedtime story squeezed in—you’re showing up. And that matters more than perfect plans or polished appearances.

If you take away just one thing from this post, let it be this: You are not lazy. You are not failing. You are navigating a high-demand season with a full heart and a tired brain—and you deserve credit for that.

So as summer approaches, take a breath. Take a break. Take the win.

You’ve got this.