Celebrate Small Wins

You Can Do It!

How easy it is to feel frustrated over a lack of progress or feeling better only to get let down as you saw a glimpse of hope. You are not alone. This past week has been one of my most challenging in a while. After genuinely starting to feel better and have energy - this week returned the severe fatigue. Grant it, I did have a much busier work week, but I felt I could handle it head on with the progress I have made.

However, reality hit and I had to accept that although I am feeling and getting better I am not 100%. Hard reality. Tough reality. Especially as family and friends adjust with me. This is probably one of the toughest areas because the ebb and flow of health is the one consistent thing I can count on and I hate feeling like I am letting people down when the shift happens. They celebrate with me as we see the positive gains and question what is wrong when I seemingly take steps back. All can be explained, but it is still hard to understand and even worse hard to accept.

This week I felt frustrated because no matter how hard I pushed and willed myself to "do it" I just could not. I could not stay awake longer, do the dishes, go grocery shopping - none of it. This hurt. It hurts because in my mind I just know that I can. I have the energy because I just saw it, felt it, and better yet tasted it. I saw the "new me" coming to life. The joy family and friends felt as they started to see the "me" resurface that they knew and know. So yes, I was frustrated.

Then things took a positive turn. I took a moment toward the end of the week to reflect on how far I had come in such a short period of time. I restarted my gluten free journey last November. I changed my eating habits in January - taking out eggs, dairy, pork, canola, and corn. I have not drank soda for a year now. And guess what? Every change and sacrifice has actually been worth it. How do I know? Because I notice the newness of how I feel and love seeing the real me resurface. I see my skin clearing up, I stay up longer, I have energy to run errands and just live life. I see it! So I'm counting my blessings and you should too! See, small wins are glimpses of hope that help you identify that you are going in the right direction and that with time, you will overcome.

At its best, this post is an intentional reset and refocus. Remember, it is important to acknowledge what you feel because it is real, but don't stay there. See it, experience it, acknowledge it, and let it go so you can move on. Be intentional in celebrating your small wins and how far you have come because one day they will become your victory!