How I'm Forcing Myself to Celebrate More

We’re a little more than a quarter of the way through the year, and I’ve been reflecting on how things are going so far. I’m not a big “resolutions” person, but I am big on self-improvement, reflection, and trying to push myself just a little bit more every year. Many of you know that I choose a word of the year each year - well, this year it was celebration.

And, if I’m being really honest, it hasn’t really felt like there was all that much to celebrate so far.

The news cycle is dismal, everything costs a bazillion dollars, and things just feel hard. But, as I’ve been reflecting on the year I reminded myself that I still have plenty to celebrate - and plenty to work towards.

So, I made a little system for myself (as one does).

I think I struggle to celebrate as much as I’d like to for two reasons. One, I don’t give myself permission to acknowledge an accomplishment or milestone. I’m always looking to the next thing (and the next and the next), so I don’t pause to recognize that the little things matter.

And two, I don’t always know how to celebrate. As much as I’d love to get a massage or go for a pedicure every time I want to celebrate a milestone, I know myself well enough to know that needing to spend a bunch of money is just gonna deter me from doing the thing. I’m a cheapskate and don’t like spending money on myself, so something that feels big or expensive to me is less likely to actually happen.

So! I made a list of free or low-cost ways to celebrate milestones and achievements. Nothing costs more than $20. I wrote them all on a bunch of slips of paper, and I tossed them into a cute pitcher in my office.

Now, each time I have something to celebrate, I’m going to pull out a slip of paper and do the thing. No excuses. I have to celebrate!

I’m also planning to make a list of reasons to celebrate and keep it where I can see it. No more “is this big enough for a celebration?” - I’m committing to recognizing the good things. Because lord knows we all need more of ‘em.