PSA: You Are In Fact Allowed To Be Proud Of Yourself

Dear wonderful humans reading this:

You are wonderful. You are loved. You are appreciated. You are deeply cared for. At times it doesn't feel like it, I know, but you are.

And since you are human, you will go through things. Little things, really big things. There are going to be days where you just aren't feeling it and you just feel like calling in sick to life in general. There are going to be days when the trials overpower the joys and that's okay. There are going to be days where you're anxious about everything and that's okay. There are going to be days where you can't do it and THAT'S OKAY.

On these days, we often hate ourselves for feeling the way we do. We hate the situation. We hate all of it. We want to give up. We feel like we can't do it. That's okay, too. But, here's something that's helped me during times like that:

Treat everything you do as a victory. Celebrate. Treat yourself with ice cream or a new shirt.

You got out of bed this morning? Good job! Be proud of yourself because you could've just let life defeat you in that moment. You were victorious.

You showed up to school or work? That's so awesome! Some days that takes courage and bravery and YOU DID IT.

You ate food? I know when I'm upset or anxious I don't like to eat. Sometimes just making sure you have had a meal for the day IS A BIG DEAL! Take pride in that!

You spoke to people when you didn't feel like it, you didn't cry, you ordered your dinner, you reached out to someone because you weren't feeling good, you finished your homework, you survived the day? You should be so unbelievably proud of yourself.

Every single thing you do on a day where it feels like you can't, THAT is a victory. You moving forward is a win. Sometimes this life seems like it just wants to knock you down. To make sure you don't make progress. To make you feel alone. But each and every time you get up when you feel like you can't, each time you take on the day, you are winning. You are winning.

You have won. Be proud of yourself.

James 1: 2-8
"Even When It Hurts" - Hillsong