12 Best Motivational Quotes for the Month of May

These motivational quotes for the month of May were specially chosen to inspire you to take action — both in working hard toward your goals and in fully enjoying your life. When you find yourself getting off track with your attitude or your goals, intentional growth quotes will help you remember where you’re going and how you really want to live.

Reflect on the May quotes in this post, and then jump over to check out my full collection of seasonal and motivational quotes.

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Choosing and Using Your Quotes for May

Every month I like to choose a few motivational quotes that relate to what’s been on my mind or something in my life that I would like to improve.

May is a great time to think about your life. I suggest doing a brain dump or filling out a dreams and goals worksheet so you can begin to make a plan. Don’t let the days and weeks get away from you!

Sometimes I’ll make some quick quote graphics and rotate them as the background on my computer and the lock screen on my phone. Then, whenever it’s time to get to work or I go to unlock my phone, it’s like a little shot of motivation.

If you don’t already do this with your electronic devices, you should try it! If you work from home, you might be surprised at the difference a motivational quote makes on your work computer. Just sayin’. 🙂

There are also times inspirational quotes can remind you to slow down, let go of a few worries, and refocus your energy and effort. Constantly trying harder at all. the. things. is rarely beneficial.

What ONE action or goal would actually make the biggest positive difference in your life right now?

Maybe it’s time to do that thing.

Motivational Quotes for May

“What potent blood hath modest May.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

… and, because you can never really get enough Emerson…

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“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

I believe the choice ends up being made either consciously or unconsciously. 

It’s so tempting to float along for years and then say ‘I guess I was never meant to be happy (or successful, etc.).’ This is why being aware and consciously choosing and working toward personal and professional goals is so very important!

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“All things seem possible in May.”
— Edwin Way Teale

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“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt

This is the quote I repeat to myself pretty much every.single.day.

Stepping out of our comfort zone is the basis for incredible personal growth. Life can be hard, and it can be scary, but conquering those fears and pursuing your passion is an amazing feeling!

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“May and June. Soft syllables, gentle names for the two best months in the garden year: cool, misty mornings gently burned away with a warming spring sun, followed by breezy afternoons and chilly nights. The discussion of philosophy is over; it’s time for work to begin.”
— H. Peter Loewer

Related: 28 Perfect Hello May Quotes And Sayings To Greet The Month

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“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
— Zora Neale Hurston

I read this quote a few years ago and think about it often. 

Taken together, a full year can usually be described with a single word or a short phrase. Some of those years are difficult, and we’re left wondering how we survived. Some years are amazing, and everything flows in a way that perhaps we could not imagine during the difficult times.

I hope this is a year that answers for you! Or if it’s one that asks questions, let them be profound, motivational, and positively inspiring. 

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“The last days of May are among the longest of the year.”
— Alice Munro, What is Remembered (short story from Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage: Stories)

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“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
— Mark Twain

Just think about that. Please. Don’t allow yourself to be swept up in crowd-think. 

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“A little Madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King.”
— Emily Dickinson

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“May, more than any other month of the year, wants us to feel most alive.”
— Fennel Hudson, A Meaningful Life – Fennel’s Journal No. 1

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“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.”
— Diane Ackerman

Shouldn’t this be everyone’s goal? I love this quote so much — just imagine if we all embraced this philosophy and used it to inspire our intentional motivation!

Be intentional. Be positive. Be kind. Be adventurous. Expect the best. Live well. 

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“Now the bright morning Star, Dayes harbinger,
  Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
  The Flowry May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow Cowslip, and the pale Primrose.
  Hail bounteous May that dost inspire
  Mirth and youth, and warm desire,
  Woods and Groves, are of thy dressing,
  Hill and Dale, doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early Song,
And welcom thee, and wish thee long.”
— John Milton, Song on May Morning

More Journaling and Quotes Posts to Enjoy

24 Intentional Living Quotes to Inspire Your Best Life

22 Fantastic Gratitude Journal Prompts You Need Today

18 Summer Inspiration Quotes for June

30 Printable Journal Jar Prompts to Inspire Reflection

21 Spring Motivational Quotes to Welcome the Season

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Using May Motivational Quotes to Live More Intentionally

Staying motivated for living an intentional life every.single.day is not an easy feat. But I truly believe that embracing the emotions you experience when reading these quotes for May can inspire you to take positive actions every day.

If you’re just beginning your intentional living journey, or if you’re going through huge changes in your life, give yourself some grace and time to think and feel as you Build Your Best Life.

You’ve got this!

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