Day 2: Celebrate the Small Victories

Day 2 of the 12 Days of Self Care! This is something I’m pretty bad at myself. I’ve never been good at noticing the “small” victories, but I’m definitely getting better! 

We definitely always celebrate those big victories, like getting into college, getting a new job, losing all that weight, whatever it is. It’s like if it doesn’t make a significant impact in our life we don’t recognize it. But there are so many small things we should appreciate and celebrate!

Here is a list of some daily and more general small victories you can celebrate!

Daily Small Victories

Woke Up This Morning

This may seem a bit weird, but celebrate that you’re around for another day! Having all this time to live out our lives is something I bet a lot of us take advantage of. I know I hate waking up in the morning, but things would be different if I couldn’t wake up, or I woke up seriously ill. 

Celebrate another day alive. 

Related: 11 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep (Even in a Rowdy Dorm)

Took a Shower on a Bad Day

Having a bad day? Maybe your depression is getting the best of you, or you’re so overwhelmed with life that you can’t bare the thought of going out. If you drag yourself into the shower, celebrate that. There’s nothing quite like being squeaky clean, and usually I feel at least somewhat better after a shower anyway.

Related: Step-by-Step Self Care Guide

You Left the House

If you’re an introvert like me, you can spend days inside your house with no problem at all. While that might sound cozy to some of us, we do still need to interact with other people and leave the house. Even if it’s just to go for a walk. 

Related: Why I Spend Thanksgiving Alone and Why It’s Okay

Went to the Gym/Exercised

Going to the gym is always something I fall out of doing. Usually, during the spring. When my allergies overact to the point where I can’t get out of bed, let alone go to the gym, I tend to take a break until they die down. Unfortunately by then it’s summer and my hatred of being hot and sweaty wins over my want to move around.

If you went to the gym today or did a small exercise routine, celebrate!

Related: How to Stay Healthy This Fall

You Ate Healthy/Didn’t have that snack/soda/junk

Dieting is something that’s big around this time. No one wants to gain weight during the holidays and since we just had Thanksgiving, some of us might be trying to lose any weight we gained from stuffing our faces with turkey. But like I said, we don’t tend to celebrate the smaller portions of losing weight, only the actual weight loss.

So if you’re trying to lose weight and you stayed within your calorie range, ate healthy all day, stayed away from sugar/carbs/soda/etc., or resisted the temptation of the Christmas cookies your coworker brought into the office, celebrate that victory (and every other day you do this!), just not with junk food.

Related: Bad Habits to Avoid in Your 20s

You Didn’t Strangle That Annoying Co-Worker

We all have that person or persons at work who just don’t know when to stop. Maybe they like to bother you while you’re working, or they talk too much, or chew food extremely loud at their desk. If you have one of those and they have started up with whatever it is that annoys you and you don’t blow up at them, throw your stapler at their head, or just start going crazy because you can’t take it anymore, Celebrate!

Related:  What to Do When You’re Overwhelmed with Life

You Got Through the Day

Getting through the entirety of the work or school day is something that should be celebrated! Especially around this time of year. If you’re in school you’re gearing up for finals, and if you’re at work, things can get really hectic as companies try to reach fourth quarter goals and achievements. 

So if you made it back to your home in one piece, celebrate that victory.

Related: 6 Ways to Relax, De-Stress, and Unwind

General Small Victories

Your Health

I’m someone who will always have medical problems, but right now, my overall health is pretty good regardless of that. My significant other gets pneumonia chronically every year. This year it came early and right after we met up for the first time he started to get sick. 

If you have your health, or you’re not severely ill, celebrate your health!

Related: How to Deal With Mental Health: Take Back Millennial

Your Family

Most people like their family. And I don’t doubt most people take advantage of them, even unknowingly. Family isn’t always going to be there for you. People get older, move away, fall out of contact, and the like. If you like your family, celebrate them!

Related: 5 Things I Learned From Being Raised By My Parents

Your Wealth

If you have a roof over your head and food somewhere in your home (whether fridge, freezer, pantry, etc.) and you’re able to get by, be grateful for your wealth. You may not want to celebrate it if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or you’re not making as much as you want, but if you’re living and not just surviving, celebrate that.

Celebrate that you’re not homeless, hungry, or cold.

Related: How to Get Your Financial Game Together as a Millennial

What are your small victories that you celebrate or want to celebrate? How will you celebrate those victories? What’s your favorite small victory you’ve celebrated so far?

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