Last updated on July 16th, 2021 at 11:56 am

“How do you celebrate yourself?” my therapist asked me, and honestly I couldn’t think of any ways I do.

Yeah, sometimes I get my nails done, hair done, a massage here in there—what some would even consider regular self-care.

Or sometimes I rejoice about my good news with friends.

But is that even celebrating yourself?

And what about when you make smaller accomplishments?

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in external celebration (which is okay too), but what about those moments when you’re alone? What about those moments where you complete something utterly difficult and don’t want/need to share with others?

Just something to think about—and I’m also thinking about it too.

Although I’m not completely there yet, these are some ways you can celebrate yourself.

Rest

You’ve completed a task, broken a cycle, put yourself out there. You are living and doing your best.

Celebrate yourself by resting. That’s fundamental self-care for ya! That might mean staying off social media for a while. It could be listening to your body’s tiredness and taking a nap.

Write it down

When you’re accomplishing thing after thing, writing it down can give you the words of affirmations you need—the reassurance that you’re really doing the damn thing.

It might even help to put them on sticky notes that you post on your walls. And when you get the chance, read them out loud.

Acknowledgment

By stating what you’ve done—big or small—you are celebrating yourself.

I try my hardest to acknowledge what I have completed each night before I go to sleep. And I’d encourage you to try it too!

Reward yourself

Whatever that looks like to you. It might be: eating your favorite meal, doing an activity you love, watching a show you like.

Doing something nice that brings you joy is a way to show appreciation for all the things you’ve accomplished, and celebrate the person you are.

Give yourself permission

To be happy, to draw in gratitude for not only what you’ve done—but also who you are. Give yourself permission to be content with where you are at that moment (not saying settle).

If you’re anything like me, you strive to be better—which you will be, but there’s power in celebrating yourself along the way. Not only when our milestones are big but also day-to-day accomplishments.