Living your best life doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built one small win at a time, often in moments that feel uncertain, messy, or even scary.
When I wrote my first book, I was terrified. The fear of failure, judgment, and not being “good enough” felt overwhelming. But I knew deep down that this was something I had to do. So, instead of focusing on the end goal, I focused on doing one small thing each day. Some days, that looked like writing a single sentence. Other days, it meant just showing up at my desk, ready to try again.
Pushing through fear and celebrating those small steps taught me something profound: progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, trying, and trusting that each small action brings you closer to your goal. When I published that first book, it gave me confidence—not just in my ability to write, but in my ability to tackle other big dreams, like my art career.
Recently, I’ve had a couple of small wins with my art that felt deeply affirming. Two of my pieces were selected for exhibits—one for a national show and another for a local exhibit in Ohio. While these might seem like small moments to some, they’re significant to me because they remind me of the progress I’ve made and the unique gifts I bring to the world.
But here’s the thing: many of us don’t allow ourselves to celebrate these moments. Why? For one, we worry that acknowledging our wins might come across as bragging. And second, we’re often harder on ourselves than we’d ever be on someone else. How many times have you looked at your own accomplishments and thought, This isn’t that big of a deal—anyone could do this?
The truth is, not everyone is gifted in the exact same way. What you offer to the world is uniquely yours, and that makes it worth celebrating.
One way to shift your mindset around this is to become your own biggest fan. I’ve made a conscious effort to speak positively about myself and my work. I don’t downplay my progress, and I don’t allow negative self-talk to creep in—even as a joke. I believe that the things we say about ourselves, even in jest, shape how we see ourselves.
So today, I challenge you to celebrate one small win. Maybe it’s a project you finished, a fear you faced, or simply the fact that you showed up. Recognize that every step you take is shaping your best life, one moment at a time.
Call to Action:
For more inspiration on celebrating progress and building confidence, revisit Chapter 10 of Beauty from Chaos. Your best life is waiting—start creating it one small win at a time.
