May Mental Health Awareness: 31 Day Challenge

Turns out I started Mental Health Month a little early… and I’m not even mad about it.

May is officially Mental Health Awareness Month, and I’ve decided to commit to a 31-Day Mental Health Challenge that I put together myself. Honestly, narrowing it down to just 31 items from the long list of possibilities was a challenge in itself. There are so many small things that can shift the way we feel—and I want to explore them, one by one.

Each day, I’ll post the challenge from the day before (because let’s be real, I’m not posting late at night). I’ll be sharing my full challenge chart, and as we go along, you’ll see each one crossed off. The idea is to discover what “the little things” can actually do for our mental health.

Here’s what to expect:

For every day on the challenge chart, I’ll talk about what I did, how it felt, and what’s coming up for the next day, with a bit of science and research mixed in, because I like to know the “why” behind things.

For instance, tomorrow is “Give Someone a Hug” day. That “someone” can be a friend, a family member, an associate, or even a pet (no shame in hugging your dog like your life depends on it). Hugging releases oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which can help reduce stress, regulate emotions, and boost your mood. Studies show that this simple physical connection triggers neurochemical changes that make us feel safer, closer, and more grounded. It's such a small act, but it holds real power.

Throughout the month, I’ll also be sharing motivations, reflections, and whatever insight shows up—whether it’s inspiring or just me trying to figure things out as I go. Some days it might feel like growth. Some days it might feel like survival. Both are valid.

I’m hoping you’ll join me. Let’s walk through this challenge together. I’d love to hear your thoughts, your feelings, your progress—and if you want to see more challenges like this in the future.

So, I’m officially starting today so I can roll out each day’s update in real time through May. Let’s see what shows up when we choose to show up for ourselves, even just a little.

#boldstepsforward #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth #endthestigma #mentalhealthchallenge #smallstepsbigchanges #mindfulmoments #healingjourney #innerwork #grieftogrowth #honesthealing #feeldeephealdeeper #missmyson