Have you ever noticed that when it comes to life and the things we want to accomplish, we usually take an all-or-nothing approach? Surely I’m not the only mom in the world who struggles with this.
Ya know, eating all the organic whole foods in perfect portions or eating crap three meals a day. Working out at 5 AM every morning or never taking more than 200 steps in a day. Reading five books in a month or letting those books go unread for a year as they gather dust on our book shelves.
It seems like we struggle to find a balance in the middle of those extremes. It can’t be too surprising, really. We spend our days watching influencers do. it. all. We are constantly comparing ourselves to the other picture-perfect moms at Pre-K drop-off. We look at everyone around us and know they have it altogether. All while we are sitting stagnant, feeling like we can’t make progress in anything.
I don’t fully understand the complexities of where we got this idea that our lives have to be all or nothing–there is probably a psychological study out there that would give us the deep roots that have landed us here. But I’m here to remind you: Rome wasn’t built in a day. And neither are you.
Which can only mean one thing: We must celebrate the little victories.
Did you wake up five minutes earlier than yesterday so that you could have five minutes of peace before your children came calling? Celebrate your proactive attitude for the day.
Did you fold one basket of laundry during nap time instead of looking at it for the fifth day in a row? Celebrate your progress.
Did you eat only one Oreo instead of five after your kids went to bed? Sing praises and celebrate that self-control.
Did you read one page out of that novel that you’ve thought about reading for two months? Clap your hands and count that as an accomplishment.
Did you take a walk down the street instead of sitting on the couch scrolling your phone? Recognize that healthier choice.
Celebrating the little victories doesn’t come naturally to us. In the moment we often think, “But I should have done more” or “that wasn’t enough.” And, sometimes, maybe that’s true. But for the most part, we have to shift our thinking. We have to realize that big gains are really just a bunch of small gains put together.
We can look at that list of accomplishments up there and think they aren’t worth much.
Did you have hours to get things done before your kids woke up? No.
Did you get all the laundry done in one day? No.
Did you lose five pounds because you ate four less Oreos? Nope.
But do you know what you did? You experienced a little more discipline, you practiced a little more self-control, you made a little bit of progress. And do you know what a little bit of progress day after day leads to?
A lot of progress. A lot of growth. A lot of accomplishments.
So today, stop minimizing your little victories. Stop telling yourself that you didn’t accomplish enough, do enough, or become everything you’ve dreamed of. Look back at your day and celebrate all of the small steps that are leading you to where you want to be.
You’re doing a great job.
