The other day at the gym, something simple and beautiful happened. A woman turned to me,
practically glowing, and said, “Today I walked a mile on the treadmill!” She was grinning from ear to ear, full of pride—and rightly so.
I smiled back and said, “That’s amazing!” And then she added, “When I first started, I could only do 10 minutes. Then a little
more the next day. Then a half mile. And today—today, I made it to a full mile.”
It was a moment. A big one. Not because a mile is some monumental number in the world of fitness, but because it was her own milestone. Her personal breakthrough.
And she chose to share it with someone she sensed would be genuinely happy for her.
And honestly? That part might be the most important piece of the whole
story.
We All Need a Cheerleader
Progress, especially the kind that happens slowly, quietly, and with a whole lot of effort behind the scenes, can feel invisible unless someone sees it with you. When you’re working toward a goal—whether
it's health-related, emotional, financial, or even organizational—it’s easy to get discouraged.
The world doesn’t always stop to notice the small wins. But those small wins are everything.
That’s why it matters so much to have people in your life who are going to say, “Wow, I’m proud of you,” when you say, “I finally cleaned out that closet,” or “I made it to yoga three times this week,” or “I walked a mile!”
When you find
those people—the ones who don’t make you feel like you should be doing more, or faster, or differently—keep them close. They're your safe space to share the messy, real, honest-to-goodness moments of growth.
Why It’s OK to Share Your Successes
Some people hold back from sharing their wins because they don’t want to seem like they’re bragging. But there’s a difference between arrogance and celebration. When we celebrate progress—especially the hard-won kind—we’re honoring the journey, not just the outcome.
And when we share those wins with people
who get it, who know how much effort it took, something special happens: your joy multiplies. You’re no longer carrying that joy alone—it expands.
Plus, your progress might be the spark someone else needs. That woman at the gym? She reminded me how powerful consistent effort can be. She reminded me how good it feels to be someone’s
cheerleader. That’s a gift.
Be That Person for Someone
We can all be the one who says, “That’s awesome!” or “I’m proud of you!” or “I see how far you’ve come.” It doesn’t cost anything, and it creates a little ripple of goodness. In a
world where people are quick to criticize or compare, being someone who uplifts is both rare and deeply valuable.
So next time someone tells you they’re making progress—whether it’s walking a mile, quitting a bad habit, organizing a drawer, or setting boundaries—take a moment. Celebrate with them. Because small wins are big deals. And
the people who cheer for you? They make the journey a whole lot brighter.
On another note, I recommend...
My carefully curated list of clever kitchen tools cuts down on food prep—so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meals. Each item is practical, efficient, and a real helper for busy days!
