The beauty of small wins
From last year, coming into the year 2025, I decided to start celebrating my wins.
When people talk about achievements we always expect something spectacular or significant that warrants celebration, which is understandable given the amount of effort put into achieving them. So we've divided them into two categories: huge wins and little wins.
As someone who has always been hard on herself, I have never celebrated any kind of win, regardless of the circumstances. When I got into university, my parents were overjoyed, but I was indifferent. I graduated with a great degree and went on with my life as if nothing happened. My father still has a grudge against me since I did not take a convocation picture, which didn't bother me in the least.
I'm always harsh on myself when things are beyond my control or don't go as planned. I cried the first time I received a C in 300lv, and my friends thought I was selfish and crazy because C is typical, according to them. If I don't receive something I truly want, I drop from 100 to 10, which is worrisome.
I had an introspective and needed to see things differently. A serious issue occurred, resulting in a significant shift in my perspective. Now, regardless of what I'm chasing, even if it's just the knowledge I receive, I appreciate it because it represents progress.
Small wins for me could be getting a cup of ice cream on a day that drained me; it could be having a conversation with a friend that I miss; it could also be making the perfect noodles, as that's always a gamble every time. The trick is to see joy even in the insignificant things and moments.
Some days it might be when I’m able to watch a series that I’ve been putting off for a while or taking a walk with my headphones playing music uninterrupted by no one. I’m happy when I comfortably finish my daily assigned tasks without any hiccups or when someone I like finishes my sentence.
It’s important to celebrate these small wins and see the spark in this thing called life. If you’re waiting for the perfect occasion or situation, you might lose track of time, and if you’re someone like me, once something has been done, you’re onto the next, and then you’ll never get to actually celebrate even the big wins. People celebrate getting a new job, changing houses, traveling to a new country, finding love, getting contracts, finishing their research papers, and watching a movie all as wins.
Celebrate yourself on days you get out of bed even though you’re tired, perfecting that recipe, hanging out with your loved ones, killing a cockroach, fixing a light bulb unassisted, starting a conversation with a stranger, and even going on dates.
Remember small wins for counts too and it fuels your drive for bigger success.