Part 7: Celebrate Your Wins - Big or Small
Self-love isn’t just for healing old wounds; it honors the person you’re becoming. We live in a world that celebrates hustle and perfection, but rarely pauses to celebrate progress, especially the small, quiet wins that no one sees. But here’s something critical I’ve learned about the self-love journey:
If you’re only celebrating the big wins, you’re missing the whole point.
Self-love isn’t just about doing the hard work, it’s also about pausing to honor the person doing it: you! It’s about showing yourself the same love, joy, and recognition you give everyone else.
So let me ask you:
When was the last time you stopped and said, “I’m proud of me”?
If you’re struggling to remember, this post is for you.
The Power of Micro-Wins
Too many of us downplay our progress because it doesn’t “look like much.” We tell ourselves:
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I should be further along by now.”
“It’s not worth celebrating unless it’s something major.”
But here’s the truth: Small wins are the foundation of big breakthroughs. They’re the moments you showed up when you didn’t want to. The boundaries you set even though your voice shook. The times you got out of bed when your heart was heavy. The choices that no one clapped for, but you made them anyway. Those are the real wins.
And they deserve to be honored.
Why Celebration Is a Self-Love Practice
Celebration isn’t just fun, it’s functional. It literally retrains your brain. Every time you acknowledge a win, your brain releases dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical tied to motivation and reward. The more you celebrate, the more your brain associates progress with pleasure. That’s what keeps you moving, especially on the days that feel heavy.
Celebrating also builds self-trust. It reminds you that you keep your promises to yourself. It teaches your nervous system that growth isn’t always painful—it can also feel joyful. Finally, it helps you stay present, instead of always chasing “what’s next.”
How Small Wins Built My Big Transformation
When I first started my self-love journey, I didn’t feel worthy of celebration. I felt broken, tired, and behind. There were no big milestones to feel good about, just a whole lot of small decisions that felt invisible.
But slowly, I began to track my progress by paying closer attention to those small decisions, not with judgment, but with compassion and joy.
The first time I said “no” and didn’t apologize.
The first morning I meditated instead of reaching for my phone.
The first time I looked in the mirror and didn’t immediately criticize myself.
Each small win whispered: Keep going. You’re doing it.
Over time, those whispers became a roar.
I lost 70 pounds.
I walked away from a relationship that was draining me.
I rebuilt my finances.
I found a career that lights me up.
But it didn’t start with a big leap. It started with small, quiet wins, and the decision to celebrate them.
Ways to Celebrate Without Breaking the Bank
Celebration isn’t about extravagance, it’s about intention. It’s about marking a moment and saying, “This matters. I matter.” Here are some beautiful, budget-friendly ways to celebrate yourself:
1. Update Your Vision Board
Don’t just dream about the future, reflect on how far you’ve already come. Add photos, words, or symbols that represent recent growth. Make your progress part of your vision.
2. Create a Celebration Playlist
Find all the songs that make you feel like a force of nature. Blast it when you need a reminder that you’re that girl. This is a vibe reset, not just a reward.
3. DIY Spa Night
Turn your bathroom into a sanctuary. Light candles, play soft music, do a face mask or soak your feet in warm water with essential oils. Let it be sacred, not rushed.
4. Write Yourself a Love Letter
Start with: “I’m so proud of you because…”
Then let it flow. Say the things you wish someone else would say. Keep it to re-read on your hard days. Or write one every month and watch your growth unfold on paper.
5. The Win Jar (With a Twist)
Use a jar or box to store slips of paper with your daily wins. Add notes from loved ones, affirmations, or kind things people said to you. When your confidence dips, pull one out as a positive reminder.
6. Enjoy a Ritual Meal
Make or order your favorite meal and eat it with intention. Light a candle. Say, “This is my way of honoring my effort.” Create a mini celebration ritual that you return to whenever you hit a milestone.
7. Buy a Small Symbolic Gift
Pick something meaningful — a new journal, a piece of jewelry, or even a crystal. Every time you see or wear it, let it remind you: “This was for me. This honors my progress.”
8. Share Your Win (with the Right People)
Don’t be afraid to say, “Hey, I did something I’m proud of.” Choose people who’ll celebrate with you, not dim your light. If you don’t have them yet, don’t stress about it, because you can always celebrate with yourself. That’s enough.
What Happens When You Don’t Celebrate
When you skip celebration, you teach yourself that:
Progress isn’t enough.
You’re only worthy when you “arrive.”
You have to earn love, instead of giving it freely to yourself.
This creates a pattern of burnout, resentment, and feeling like nothing is ever enough. Celebration breaks that cycle by anchoring you to gratitude. It reminds you that you are becoming someone beautiful, even if you’ve just started, even when you’re in the midst of a difficult situation.
Let’s Make It Practical: Journal Prompts
Here’s how to put this into action today. Take out your journal or open a note in your phone, and answer these questions for yourself:
What is one small win I’ve had this week that I haven’t acknowledged yet?
What does celebrating myself actually look like for me (not for Instagram)?
What belief do I need to release around being “too much” or “selfish” for celebrating?
What’s one ritual I can create to honor my growth regularly?
Final Word: Don’t Wait for the Finish Line
You absolutely don’t have to have it all together before you start clapping for yourself. You are not “too much” for being proud of your growth. You are not selfish for celebrating what you’ve overcome. Big transformations are built on small wins. The person you’re becoming is already within you—they simply manifest one choice, one boundary, and one celebration at a time.
Celebrate yourself. You’ve earned it.
Big transformations are built on small wins, so celebrate yourself. Proudly. Fiercely. Unapologetically.
You've earned it.
