They say don’t sweat the small stuff. I don’t know who “they” are, but “they” say it.

Well, I’m here to tell you you should sweat the small stuff. And the big stuff. Even the stuff in between. Because all that sweat, all that exertion, you’ve worked hard for that. Nobody accomplishes anything without a little sweat.

What I’m saying is… celebrate your accomplishments. Take a look at your hard work and say “Wow, I did that!” No matter if it’s a big accomplishment like landing your dream job, or a little one like remembering to water the plants out front, you have every right to feel happy with yourself.

You can’t expect congratulations from others on every little thing. I’m not saying that. I’m saying “Think positive! Reward yourself!”

People who struggle with mental illness have a difficult time feeling good about themselves. The stigma of mental illness drags us down, makes us feel like dirt. However, I’ve seen many rise above it. Remember when I said that what you put into your mind affects you? You can use that to your advantage.

It takes a lot of effort to think positively, and giving yourself a reward when you accomplish something can help to increase your positivity. You’re being positive and helpful to yourself by recognizing your accomplishment and making an effort to enforce behavior that makes you feel good about yourself. This can also help you to overcome your fears which are preventing you from doing things you want to do. If you see a light at the end of the tunnel, if you know there’s reward and happiness to be found when you overcome these hurdles, it makes it easier to achieve.

Here are some ways you can reward yourself for those little (or big) successes:

1. Take a much needed break. Relax yourself. Whatever you’ve been wanting to do all day, do it! Whether it’s going outside and soaking up some sun, or buying yourself dinner or a special treat. Did you make great strides today in overcoming your fears? Take a moment to thank yourself and thank those around you. Then eat cake. Because cake is good.
2. Tell a trusted friend about your accomplishment. Or tell your parent, your therapist, anyone you can share the news with. “I did _____ today!” “Well, that’s great! Good job!” I have a cafe that I go to where the owner knows me, and she knows how much I struggle to eat sometimes. Whenever I finish my plate, she makes sure to congratulate me and say “Way to go!” Even at 27-years-old, this positive reinforcement still works.
3. Celebrate your accomplishment with God. Thank Him for giving you the strength and skill that he has blessed you with. Thank Him for always being by your side, cheering you on. Feeling grateful to God for all that he has given you makes the reward of hard work that much sweeter. I try to remember each day to say thank you to God for the better situation I’m in. Without His encouragement, and the encouragement of my family and friends, I wouldn’t have been able to make the hard decision to switch careers. But it’s all been for the best!
4. Lastly, help others to celebrate their achievements as well. Pass that joy on and help them feel good about themselves. Encourage them. Mentor them. They’re struggling too, and maybe they just need a helping hand or an encouraging word, a hand clap of praise. Share in their accomplishments, in their struggles, and you will also reap the reward of a new friend!

What’s my accomplishment for today? I got my garden transplanted. It was a lot of hard work, but my plant babies are nestled in new soil and are growing up big and strong. I raised them from seedling to adolescence, and hopefully they’ll make it to adulthood, God willing. The squirrels are starting to become a nuisance.

I’m going to celebrate that I had the energy to do this task, and I thank God that he has performed the miracle that transformed my grey thumb into a green one. Miracle is a strong word, but… if you saw last year’s attempts, you’d think differently.

So thank you God, for letting me grow. Thank you, Mom and Dad for supporting me while I recuperate at home. Thank you to my friends who drag me out of the house for social interaction (some days I have to be dragged).

To those of you out there who have had an accomplishment this past week, congratulations! You rock! To those who haven’t yet, you’ll get there! Make it a priority to accomplish something you’ve wanted to do today, and then do it! I’m rooting for you!

What are some things you’ve accomplished so far this year? How did you celebrate?

Feature image (c) Gabriela Pinto via Flickr.. Image altered.