5 Signs You're Doing Better in Life Than You Think

In this blog, I explore the five signs you're doing much better in life than you think or realise and the need to celebrate every small win or victory.

A woman thriving

I am guilty of getting caught up in the day-to-day challenges of life and losing sight of what is right in front of me. I forget how far I've come and ignore the need to celebrate my small victories.

But the good news is, somehow, I come to my senses and take the time to acknowledge and celebrate my accomplishments, no matter how small they seem. When I take the time to focus on my small wins and practice gratitude, my overall well-being improves and I start to view the world in a more positive light.

So, here are five signs that you're doing better in life than you may think and some ideas on how to celebrate your wins:

Progress

As the adage goes, small progress IS progress. If you're working through your goals and making progress, no matter how small the progress seems, celebrate. Starting is a huge step as most people often get stuck in fear, procrastination and analysis paralysis, especially if the goal is to embark on a new adventure.

So, if you're started, congratulate yourself, for it is a big step. Celebrate by treating yourself to something that gives you pleasure and satisfaction to reward and motivate you.

Learning From Mistakes

I always say that failure is feedback. When you do something and make a mistake, it is crucial to recognise it, reflect and learn from it. We can use our mistakes and failures as an opportunity to better ourselves. Besides, we cannot truly grow and develop knowledge and skills if we never fail. If we never fail at anything, it is a sign that we are not daring to challenge ourselves enough.

So, if you've failed and learnt from your mistakes and have been able to grow, develop resilience through that mistake, pat yourself on the back for the gift of growth.

Self-Care

As a black woman, I've often felt compelled to keep going despite whatever else is going on within me or around me because society expects it. Over time, I learned the importance of checking in with my mental health and allowing myself to feel vulnerable without guilt or shame. I found that mindfulness is a helpful practice to stay present in the moment, appreciate the good things in life, and avoid missing out on joyous moments.

I also learned the value of being aware of my thoughts and feelings and how to curb negative thoughts not backed by evidence. This helps me to stay positive and focused on my goals.

Furthermore, I learned that seeking professional help when necessary is a vital step towards maintaining good mental health.

So, if you're taking the time to care for yourself physically, spiritually and mentally, indulging in self-care activities you enjoy, you're doing what most struggle to do. Being able to look after your body, mind and soul is as wholesome as life can get.

Recognising Limitations

There is no shame in asking for help and taking advice. I recognise that asking for help somewhat puts us in a vulnerable position. But the irony of it, I've learnt, is that asking for help requires courage. The person who can identify their shortcomings and seek help is wise. It also means they have a clear sense of direction. Pride has its place, but when it is misplaced, it causes unnecessary suffering. Through pride, we become barriers to our success and happiness, for we suffer in silence instead of asking for what we want when we want.

So, if you allow yourself to be vulnerable, take risks, ask for what you want and go after what you desire, then you're doing better than you think. It means you possess the right qualities one needs to succeed.

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Impact on Others

Forget being able to donate thousands or millions of pounds; if you can still make a difference by doing the little you can to help others, volunteer, even in small ways, you're making an impact.

If you set a great example to others by how you carry yourself, inspiring them with your kind words and deeds, giving them your time and being there, and listening when they need you, you have healthy relationships which is a sign you're thriving. It means you are selfless, gracious and brave enough to set aside your problems and rich enough to pour into others in a way that makes them feel good about life and themselves and not want to give up. To me, that is the most precious gift you can ever give to someone.

This list is by no means exhaustive. The most important thing to remember is that despite all these signs, we move at different paces in life. Never take your small wins and achievements for granted. Instead, give gratitude because gratitude opens us up to abundance.