Watch out foodies, today is Sappy Sunday! Okay I just made that up, but in all honesty, it’s good to switch things up a bit and talk about things close to my heart, our heart. So without further ado, let’s talk EVERY DAY SMALL VICTORIES and why we should celebrate them!
In a world of social media overload, it’s easy to get caught up in coveting other people’s BIG victories. You hop on facebook, instagram, pinterest and you can see so many friends, strangers, entrepreneurs climbing the success later. Whether it be with their goals, their products, their blogs, their status, their personal fulfillments. Yes, the internet can be a place of celebrating BIG victories, which is all SO SO GOOD. Until it’s not. It’s not when you start to look at it and compare, feeling inadequate, behind in life, and well… small.
I’d like to say that many of us have had the feeling but I could be wrong, maybe it’s just me. And if it is, that’s ok. It’s good to just to write this out.
Today I want to talk about the small. Not feeling small. No, I’m talking about the purpose of SMALL victories and celebrating them DAILY!
As I mentioned last week, my husband (aka James, the kiwi) has just returned home from New Zealand. He was gone for 6 weeks! 6 weeks!! Yes, that’s a long time for some but the time away isn’t the focus here. It’s the time SPENT away. His purpose was to seek out certain job opportunities, a new career path, as well as coach/train with a few athletes.
Do you know what I did while he was gone? I worked. And worked. And worked. And tried to “get ahead,” and worked and worked.
Both of us DID everything we could do get us to the next stage in life. To transition into a new life plan (and hopefully job security).
Here’s the thing. Our plan, our work, our “everything we could do” efforts to get ahead (or SOMEWHERE in life) didn’t really come to fruition.. Yet.
We’re in the same spot, just maybe an itty bitty step forward. But a STEP is a STEP! It’s a small victory. Clueless and all.
The small step itself is what keeps you hopeful. It’s some direction, although you don’t know if it’s the right direction. It’s movement, moving forward. Or so I’d like to think so.
That being said, I’m reminded of the words by one of my favorite Woman Christian Authors (Joyce Meyer). She likes to put things bluntly. I love her for that.
You may not be where you want to be but THANK GOD you aren’t where you used to be.
If we didn’t focus on these small victories, small steps, we’d probably be syncing in pessimism and 10 steps backwards. In fact, I think that would be the easier course.
We can do hard things. Small steps and small victories may be hard to find valuable and “exciting” at first, but they WILL add up!
So my reasoning. Why we need celebrate small victories and the steps getting us there.
- Small steps and victories help us count our blessings. – > Example: I made a delicious recipe today. I am thankful I get to share that with others and that we have food to nourish. Blessed to have this as a job! Small victory with long lasting value, yes!
- Small victories defeat the feeling of inadequacy — > “Feeling” behind on life/work/etc does not mean that you are! (This one is a real struggle for me) Instead; focus on doing the IMPORTANT things First, which in the end will create strength and character. That is ADEQUACY.
- Celebrating Small victories and steps help us get UNSTUCK –> Like Joyce states above, we may not be where we want to be, but we are not where we used to be (hopefully). Focusing on the progress and progress is DOING things we can. Unstuck and selectively productive.
- Lastly, Small victories add up. —> It’s almost like a completing a puzzle. You celebrate one thing (that fit together), you step forward. You keep going and going and going until you look back and see how far you’ve come. —> That is a BIG victory, amen!
God has a personalized plan for each of us, a plan that will lead us to victory. That is why principles, formulas, and methods are not the ultimate answer, because they do not allow for the individual differences in people.
What Small Victory or Step Can you Celebrate today?
I don’t have any links back to other words of wisdom posts. But I will say this, I’ve read Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
over and over again. You must go read this book! In fact, It’s ESSENTIAL that you do.
Cheers!
The comparison trap is so dangerous, and I don’t think we realise how much we fall into it until we remove ourselves from that environment. I just gave up social media for a month and it wasn’t til I went back on and felt so insufficient that I realised how badly it affected me. You’re so right to say we should celebrate our own small achievements – every little thing we do is a massively important thing in the right direction – even if it’s just in slowly changing our habits x
Thanks you Emma. So true! Love your wisdom
Aw LC, i love the pic of you and the kiwi!!! im so glad he is back and you are able to be together! missing you guys; tell kiwi i said what up!
Miss you!! How are you???
Ooh such good advise. I always feel like I’m behind on where I want to be. It takes the fun out of anything if you dwell on it too much!
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What a beautiful post my friend and one we need to hear often. Life is more about the small steps than it is the big stuff. That only comes around every so often and we have realize just how valuable the little things are. It’s why I do my Week in Review link up every week. It’s celebrating the minutia and recognizing it’s all important and it all has worth. It’s too easy to forget that.
yes, baby steps in my world. But steps. xxoo
Ohhh I would love to read more posts like this!! I try and emphasize to clients how IMPORTANT small victories are….after all, small changes lead to big ones!
Yes that is so true, great post. And a victory means different things for different people too and we have to accept that and our circumstances without feeling crap by constantly comparing. Jealousy is a terrible thing, but it’s hard not to be jealous sometimes when the things that other people have and aim for are out of your reach. As someone living with disability and chronic health conditions everyday I strive to be positive and to put my victories in perspective, and they are many, they’re just not everyone elses victories, they’re things most people take for granted. But it’s taught me to fight so hard, and that’s a good thing 🙂
Thank you for this Amy. I truly appreciate your wisdom and sharing your heart. You are an inspiration and so glad that we could connect. Always here for you and praying.
I needed to read this today. I’ve been struggling the past few weeks and feeling very, very small. I am SO bad at celebrating the little things. I pretty much never do it. Even the bigger things are sometimes hard for me to appreciate and acknowledge. It’s something I try to work on, but it can be hard. Thank you for the reminder. xoxo
I’m pretty sure you should celebrate a lot of things friend. You have so much talent and so much creativity and all your food is just amazing and beautiful. I know how hard you work and it shows. You’re doing great things. Know that! Small victories, yes, but all I see Big victories for you.
It’s “without further ado.” Adieu is French for goodbye.
Haha thank you! That was autocorrect fail!
Loved reading this and I completely agree! Small victories are actually huge victories as they are a continuous step in the direction of development. Its progress that matters <3
One of my fave posts from you lately friend. You are so right – small victories, and usually, those small victories mean even more than the biggies, because they are usually bigger than you think. Rooted in faith and love, you inspire me always. you are always in my prayers friend xoxo
Thank you for always being there for us too!!
i need to re-read this post when m having one of those days…lately its been happening more often. social media can be such a negative place at times,,,it makes us forget what we are blessed with. sending you best wishes dear. i will have to shoot you an email to discuss this and basically rant one of these days. thank you for taking time to remind us, which is much needed.
Email me anytime! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I needed this so much now, my husband just went (Today) to New Zealand for the same purpose! And I wont see him before 6 weeks or more, and i’m planning to work and work, like you did! I’m glad you made it safely and happily, good luck for both of you in your careers, always love to read your stories Lindsay!
Oh wow! Well keep me posted!! I’m here if you need me
Thanks, I will! Do you mind if I emailed you?
of course! anytime
I literally just signed up for a trial of audible right before I read your post, and I was having difficulty deciding on what book to choose from my wish list. Essentialism was on my list, and then there you go recommending it! I don’t believe it was a coincidence… Lately, the Lord seems to be pressing the repeat button in my mind when it comes to the issues of focus, contentment, and progress via small but very intentional steps. I know He wants to see me released from the state of overwhelm that I find myself in on a routine basis. As much as I want to be free from it, I wasn’t sure where to start. Now I do… book purchased!
On the subject of the power of small wins (which I love) have you read The Slight Edge? Total game changer.
Your words of wisdom are always on point for me. I actually miss your wisdom posts because they always seriously get me thinking! I am feeling very lost and overwhelmed when I allow myself to try to think about the future. Baby steps are still steps.
oh friend! i’m always here for you. It’s hard to find time to write and think these posts out these days. Now that I’m a full time food blogger. But i so want to! Keep me accountable. <3 you
Lovely post Lindsay! I’ve actually been actively working on this in my life; sometimes, it can feel like your world is moving up without you! However, I take it day-by-day, making sure I live a life of gratitude. It helps to just be thankful for what you do have – even if you don’t see it as a victory. Oh and sometimes I just switch off of social media and get my mind right again ha! 🙂
so so true friend! and we’re always a work in progress, right?
The little things in life are what make me so so so very happy… All the way down to a single smile. Sounds cheesy and stupid but it’s true. I am easy to please. Just give me some salmon skin and smile and I am a happy girl, LOL! #predictable!
why i love you! Salmon Skins rolls cures all!
Oh just wait for my recipe that i am posting tomorrow – tee he he!
Cannot wait!
I honestly could not love this post more Lindsay. It’s exactly where I am right now as well, I just talked about celebrating the small stuff in my post that is set to go out tomorrow. This post brought tears to my eyes because I realize I’ve been so busy I’m missing the small stuff and only focusing on the what is next part. Thank you friend I’m going to go reflect, probably cry (happy tears) then order that book 🙂 xoxox
I know that feeling sam! ALways here for you !
I love everything about this post, especially this quote, “YOU MAY NOT BE WHERE YOU WANT TO BE BUT THANK GOD YOU AREN’T WHERE YOU USED TO BE.” Amen to that. Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you haven’t made any progress, especially when you experience setbacks. But I keep reminding myself to just give it up to God – He WANTS us to surrender our problems to Him.
Surrender! Yes. So true! ❤️❤️
I LOVE this! I couldn’t agree more – we need to celebrate every little accomplishment, no matter how big or small.
For some people, just getting out of bed in the morning is an accomplishment. For others, it might be something huge. We should all be challenging ourselves and celebrating those little victories as well as the big ones – but also remembering that it’s He who enables us to succeed!
Great post, Lindsay — and I couldn’t agree more! Love it! xoxo
YUP!!!! At 58 with so many things not working out right, I have to find some small things to be thankful about otherwise I might dig a hole & jump in! 🙂
HUGE HUGS and you know I am holding good thoughts for you!!!!
LOVE this x 10000.
It really hit home- Between this post and POY post this week, it’s put a lot into re-evaluating things and also removing toxic people who only put extra pressure.
who is being toxic to you? They need to go! <3 you ... in a bro kind of way. haha
A freaking men. Hands Up, head down, AMen.
I love this so much, Lindsay! You are so right- there’s always some one on social media doing more or doing it better or making us feel like it’s not enough. And the feeling of being behind- yes! So often I put the extra unnecessary pressure on myself when really I’m fine where I am. Love when you share your wisdom! 🙂
Thank you friend. YOu are one amazing woman and mama!
Great read for my Sunday morning. Congrats to small victories! I am a HUGE fan of celebrating all the mini steps we take. We’ve had a few ourselves lately and I embrace them all! keeping you guys in my thoughts as always <3
I’m so glad that you shared this Lindsay. I can definitely relate to this too. It’s been interesting in the month since I’ve pulled back on blogging and social media and how that’s impacted me. I’m writing about it for a blog post tomorrow, assuming I actually sit down to write it!! I’ve been thinking about you and James. Sending love to you both. xo
I can’t wait to read it. <3 you so!
Eloquently put friend! Love you xoxo and cheers to dreams coming true.
I relate 100% to this and I really have a hard time celebrating small things, I’ll feel good for a minute and then look to the next thing. It’s motivating until it kills my spirit! I love this post because it’s everything I need to hear, everyday!
Thank you friend. YOu are wonderful and doing great things! pleas know that. xxoo
I fully agree with this and this is the EXACT reason I used to do “high five fridays” if you remember those? I am all about celebrating the small victories!
OMG YEA! love love those
LOVE LOVE LOVE! Lately I have been celebrating the small victories as well…It is the little things that sometimes are the biggest victories in my opinion. Lately I have been comparing myself to others and it is so easy to wrapped up into the craziness and it is amazing how quickly it can change your attitude. Thank you for this beautiful sappy Sunday post! XOXO
xoxo, I didn’t realize he was gone so long . . .explains the prolific recipe development 😉 And, BTW, I am 15 years older than you and still taking small steps 🙂
you are not 50, are you? dang if so! you look 30! haha
ha, you know I’m almost 49 . . . or you do now!
Beautiful post! I know that feeling all too well and appreciate the reminder that it’s all about the small victories, because they surely can add up to some pretty amazing things! One thing I’m really proud of that we did last week was to get outside and enjoy the fresh air every day…I had been so on the go that we hadn’t been doing it as much as I wanted. Slowing down last week to get that done was so good for the sou!! Have a wonderful Sunday dear friend ❤