What's your intention for May?

starting again

Point Reyes National Seashore — April 2025

On the first of every month, I publish an essay as an invitation to pause, reflect, and begin again with renewed intention.

The traditional markers of time don’t exist in San Francisco. What makes this city most desirable — the mild climate all year round — is also what distorts our sense of time. When was the last time I saw that friend? Last month? Last quarter? Last year?

Without seasons to anchor us, we lose the shape of time, forgetting that life’s passing before us 30 days at at time.

This piece is a reminder to slow down, just for a moment, in an era that demands speed. The start of every month offers a threshold: to commit, to recommit, or release what no longer serves us. It’s a chance to start again.

we’ve lived 32.88% of 2025

My intention for April was to create moments to live aimlessly. March was filled with intensity and structure — I was craving spaciousness to sit back after weeks of leaning forward.

April delivered moments of living aimlessly in the form of a backpacking trip in Point Reyes to celebrate another revolution around the sun and another weekend meditation retreat. As the rhythm of hiking, one foot after another, and returning to the cushion again and again took hold, I noticed my mind wandering to deeper depths, guiding me back to the quiet instinct beneath all the noise.

I observed the avoidant attachment that emerges when I gravitate toward something that feels too big, too bold, too ambitious — the impulse to play it safe. The subtle step back, a delayed action, a subdued detachment.

Some time, long ago, I learned the lesson that if it doesn’t come easily, it must not be meant for me. A lesson meant to protect me from heartbreak, but one that taught me to abandon deep desires the moment that they demanded effort.

This conditioning has softened in me over time as I’ve learned to stay with the flavors of discomfort, giving myself the permission to unapologetically move toward the life that feels most true to me. But, every now and again, an experience stirs up a familiar hesitation and urge to shrink. Only now, I have the awareness to notice it and fully meet it as an old friend, a protector who once tried to keep me safe — making space for the instinct to self-preserve without allowing it to define me.

My intention for May is to nurture secure attachment with my desires, big and small.

As you contemplate your intention for May, I’ll share a song and two texts to ground into:

one grounding song

I’ve been spending more time at the San Francisco Zen Center, a local community temple that offers programming for new and seasoned meditators. Coincidentally, a friend invited me to a performance with a Zen Buddhist priest who also happens to be a live-looping musician. He layers ancient chants with beatboxing and handpan to create meditative soundscapes.

There’s something deeply inspiring about witnessing someone bring together two seemingly disparate crafts into one coherent experience. It’s a beautiful reminder that having the courage to live in our fullest expression is the greatest offering we can offer others.

two grounding texts

Being who you are will bring great peace to many others

— Mike Posner, Underneath It All

The world needs your voice. Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.

— Maggie Kuhn

our community’s April intentions

Thanks to Elliot and Mike who shared their April intentions with us!

• Elliot Fiske
  : My April intention is to cook more! I'd like to strengthen my basic cooking skills as well as develop a solid base of recipes to draw on. I got "How to Cook Everything" for my birthday so I'll be reading through that as well!

• Mike Musi
  : My intention in April is to find a balanced pace. Last month had chunks of connection and disconnection, so this month I set up recurring plans and hope it keeps me consistently grounded.

What’s your intention for May?

What are you committing to or releasing as we enter the new month? Let us know in the comments :)

If you’re in San Francisco, join us for the monthly first of the month plunge in the bay. If you’re interested in joining future plunges and events, you can subscribe here for updates on upcoming events.