Friday Things // 03.25.2022

The one reminding you to celebrate.

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Hiya friends!

I’m back after a few days away and an accidental week off from this newsletter. I went out of town and didn’t get a chance to write a post before I left. I had made the decision not to bring a laptop with me — for work or otherwise — and it was prettttttty nice to be mostly screen free for a few days.

I got back home Sunday night, and I don’t know if it’s jet lag or what, but I’ve been so tired this week. Couldn’t wait for bedtime each day, and so glad it’s the weekend now. As a result, I found myself getting a little frustrated with myself for not doing more these last few days — in workouts and just overall. As a recovering perfectionist, I always want to be doing my very best in all things, and going above and beyond whenever humanly possible. But sometimes your best in a day looks different than usual. It’s okay to take a break, and to go easy on yourself.

And doing what you can when you can, honoring where you’re at on a given day or in a given moment? I think that deserves a high five or two.

I was reminded this week that it’s important to celebrate all of our victories in life — from the seemingly tiny and unsexy to the spectacular or societally-recognized. It’s something usually I’m very cognizant of, but sometimes that notion can get lost in the shuffle. In case that’s happening to you too, let me be the one to remind you to honor your wins, and acknowledge that they don’t have to all be these glamorous, sparkly things that anyone else would regularly pat you on the back for. From making your bed to setting new boundaries, or reaching a personal or professional goal, there’s a rainbow of life moments that deserve celebrating if they make you feel proud. Hell, opening your eyes in the morning — that’s a reason to celebrate. That is a victory, whether we realize it or not.

This was the messaging in a recent spin class I took (via Kendall Toole from Peloton, one of my favs!), and also something a colleague said to me at work today after I launched a new work-related thing — celebrate your victories. And, might I add, keep on celebrating them, no matter how mundane you may think they are (no need to compare yourself to anyone else). Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the noise and chaos of life right now (especially with social media in our ears/eyeballs at all times), and just as easy to forget that every single day, we are doing incredible things that older versions of ourselves could have never imagined. Just being alive another day — another second! — is pretty damn amazing, regardless of whether or not you got that promotion or checked off all the things on your to-do list. Why not take a moment to really acknowledge even the teeniest victories and applaud for our own selves? Let the universe know you’re appreciative, and that you’re paying attention.

That work thing I launched today? It wasn’t anything life-changing, but it was an idea I’d had come to life, and until my colleague (hi Sam!) reminded me to be proud of it, I was ready to move on with my day and the 18 other things on my to-do list without taking a moment to appreciate having done a thing. So instead, I went to my favorite doughnut shop and grabbed a pink, aptly named “celebration cake” doughnut decked out in rainbow sprinkles and took a few minutes to bask in the fact that I made something new — something that I was proud of. And that I was proud of myself.

You don’t need a doughnut to celebrate each and every one of your victories, but let me tell ya — they don’t hurt. 😽

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I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I want to hear about one of your recent victories (big or small) — drop it in the comments so I can celebrate with you. Also, if you want some feel good vibes and a reminder to keep on going, this podcast episode (also featuring Kendall mentioned above) is a great listen. xo

Thanks for being here,

Joelle