As we gather around tables filled with gratitude this Thanksgiving, there's a beautiful and new "(to me) practice I want to invite you into – one that celebrates not just what we're thankful for, but how much we've grown and accomplished this year.
It's so easy to get caught up in the endless to-do lists, the goals still pending, the projects half-finished. We have a tendency to focus on the gaps rather than the ground we've covered. But today, let's pause and truly acknowledge the distance we've traveled.
Looking Back with Pride
This year has been a journey of growth in ways both big and small. As I reflect on my own path, I'm filled with gratitude for the progress made:
Those large house projects that seemed overwhelming at the start of the year? They're done, well, some of them at least. The rooms that felt chaotic and unfinished now bring me peace every time I walk through them. Each completed project represents not just an improved living space, but proof of my ability to see challenging tasks through to completion.
That licensing test I'd been preparing for – and honestly, worrying about unnecessarily – is now behind me, passed with such success that my coworkers teased me about overachieving. It represents not just professional growth, but the courage to bet on myself and invest in my future.
My reading goal for this year felt ambitious when I set it in January with the new job taking up more of my time than my old one. Now, with just weeks left in the year, I'm nearly there – pages and pages of stories, wisdom, and new perspectives that have enriched my mind and soul.
And perhaps most importantly, the countless hours spent with friends and family. The conversations that went late (but not too late) into the evening, the spontaneous dinners, fondue nights, beach trips, and the quiet moments of connection. These hours weren't just spent – they were invested in relationships that make life meaningful.
Your Journey Deserves Recognition Too
Now I want you to take a moment to reflect on your own path this year. What victories are you overlooking? What progress have you made that deserves celebration?
Maybe you:
Finally tackled that organizing project you'd been putting off
Started a new hobby that brings you joy
Improved your health in small but meaningful ways
Strengthened relationships that matter to you
Learned a new skill or earned a certification
Made your living space more comfortable and beautiful
Read more books than you expected
Traveled somewhere new, even if it was close to home
Overcame a fear or challenge that once seemed impossible
Simply showed up consistently for yourself or others
The Power of Celebrating Progress
There's something profoundly healing about acknowledging how far we've come. It shifts our perspective from scarcity to abundance, from "not enough" to "look what I've accomplished." It reminds us that we're capable, resilient, and constantly growing.
When we celebrate progress, we're not being complacent – we're fueling ourselves for continued growth. Recognition of past achievements gives us confidence to tackle future challenges. It reminds us that we've overcome difficulties before and can do it again.
A Different Kind of Gratitude
This Thanksgiving, alongside gratitude for family, health, and blessings, add gratitude for your own growth. Thank yourself for the effort you've put in, the challenges you've faced, and the progress you've made.
You are not the same person you were at the start of this year. You've learned, grown, accomplished, and persevered. You've made decisions, taken actions, and moved forward even when it felt difficult.
That deserves recognition. That deserves celebration. That deserves gratitude.
Moving Forward from a Place of Strength
As this year draws to a close and we look toward new goals and dreams, let's carry this awareness of our capabilities with us. We're not starting from zero – we're building on a foundation of proven growth and accomplishment.
Yes, there are still things on our lists. Yes, there are new mountains to climb. But we're climbing them as people who have already proven we can finish what we start, pass the tests that matter, create beauty in our spaces, and invest deeply in what matters most.
This Thanksgiving, give yourself the gift of recognition. Celebrate how far you've come. You've earned it.
What progress from this year are you most proud of? Take a moment to really acknowledge it – you deserve that recognition.