23 Tiny, Everyday Wins You Should Always Feel Good About
This post originally published on June 17, 2020.
We put a lot of stock in “big” accomplishments. Getting a promotion and successfully negotiating for a raise and new title, buying a house, reaching a certain number of followers on social media — all those things are definitely worthy of feeling amazing about. But you do know that even the small stuff — the stuff that may seem inconsequential or not a big deal — matters too?
Trying your best to be a good friend, coworker, and partner is important. Managing your money (or actively learning how to) is important. Taking care of your health and your space is important. Even though it’s great to have big goals, it’s easy to get caught up in the daunting list you have yet to accomplish. Instead of growing fixated on those, you should try to spend some time giving yourself credit for the things you do accomplish on a daily basis.
I try to keep an “accomplishment journal” up to date, writing an entry whenever I feel like I did something positive and meaningful. But you don’t need a physical notebook to give yourself props, though. At the end of every day, think about tasks (even the small ones), and encourage yourself to feel proud about completing them.
1. Remembering to water the plants
2. Using an app or coupon to save money on a purchase — even if you saved a small amount, it adds up
3. Donating to a cause you think is important, no matter what the amount is that you can afford at the time
4. Saying “I’m sorry” first when you truly are in the wrong
5. Regularly putting money away into savings, or using an app that does it for you
6. Reheating leftovers even though you very badly want sushi delivered
7. Texting your friends and family back right away instead of telling yourself you’ll do it later and totally forgetting
8. Calling and making doctors or DMV appointments even though it’s weirdly stressful
9. Crossing everything off your to-do list, including a line item that says “make some time for yourself today”
10. Finishing a book you really enjoyed reading
11. Completing a chore that you’ve put off forever, like organizing your closet, or finally going through the junk drawer
12. Fixing something in your home on your own after learning how to do it from a YouTube video
13. Learning how to cook your favorite takeout meal at home, for way cheaper
14. Making sure to check your online banking account every single day to stay on top of questionable charges or just being aware of how much money is in each account
15. Congratulating a friend for their new job or promotion — even if you’re a tiny bit (or a lot bit) jealous. You’ll get there, too. In the meantime, make your friends feel loved and supported when they’ve accomplished something huge. They’ve earned that.
16. Taking your makeup off at the end of the day (if you wear it), and treating your skin to a mask or some really hydrating lotion. Just giving herself the five to 10 minutes of self-care at night while you wind down can feel beyond soothing
17. Researching smart ways you can invest your money — even if those plans are for the future
18. Getting in some movement, whatever that looks like
19. Remembering to drink a lot of water
20. Making a really good cup of coffee at home (and this only set you back a quarter!).
21. Thoughtfully and mindfully reading the news and doing your best to stay educated on current events and if there are ways you can make an impact
22. Checking in on friends, coworkers, and family who need it
23. Making a bigger effort to be kind to yourself, especially if you’ve been feeling low lately. Loving yourself can be the hardest and most tremendous accomplishment of all.
Gina Vaynshteyn is an editor and writer who lives in LA. You can find more of her words on Refinery29, Apartment Therapy, HelloGiggles, Distractify, and others. If you wanna, you can follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
Image via Pexels
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