YAY - Own Your Victories

Back when I was a kid, whenever I would be presented with a challenge or a big chunk of homework, I would deflate at the sheer idea of having to do all that work. It all seemed like a mountain I wouldn't be able to ascend on time. My mother, who happened to be a primary school teacher herself, gave me a really good advice back then. She said that instead of looking at it as an unconquerable quest, that I should deconstruct it into smaller, easier ascends, which added up on top of another, would make the big ascent possible and manageable. To me, each small milestone meant success, which motivated me further and boosted my self-confidence.

Our Western society values success based on money, popularity, the amount of hours worked per week, 'being busy'. It's up to you to define success and victory for yourself. When we're aiming at something, we tend to focus on the achievement of the whole ascend, if we use the metaphor of the mountain. While, it's sure is motivating and a source of pride, we sometimes forget, or at least I do, to look and really consider the small milestones, little victories, and daily achievements paving the way to that climatic success. The more we pay attention to them, the more we notice that they structure and rythm our daily lives.

While our society values traditional and competitive proofs of success and shines a light on a selected few, chosen based on a set of restrictive criteria, it is up to us to value our small (and big successes), and most importantly, to share them. This is the case, especially for women. We tend to downplay our successes and victories. The best way to counterplay this ingrained reflex? Start a 'YAY whatsapp group' with your closest friends. This will brighten your day and theirs, it won't feel like bragging - well, who cares anyway? - and you will own your victories, whatever these are.

Thoughts? When was your last success, did you celebrate it? Comment below, we'd love to hear your latest YAY moment!