I can remember the mud pies.
When did I stop standing on my tiptoes with pride
beaming from my forehead,
happy to be in my moment of contribution?
As I stand here with my hands raised in the air, chin up, exclaiming, “I did it!!”, I can't help but feel the weight of awkwardness mingled with pride. This moment of self-acknowledgment and celebration, though unfamiliar, is a challenge I'm taking on at the encouragement of my best friend and coach.
Lately, I've noticed a weariness creeping into my steps. Despite my track record of passionately pursuing and achieving my goals, the moments of wonder have begun to blur. I find myself questioning if there's a finish line and if I'll even recognize it when I reach it.
We're exploring the root of this fatigue. "What happens once you've accomplished the to-do list?” she asks. "Well, duh," I retort, "I start on the next one." But this reflexive response has led me to this improbable pose, facing the discomfort of acknowledging my own achievements.
Bragging and self-congratulations are foreign territories to me, ingrained in my "do not do" list. But as I stand here, hands in the air, I ponder the necessity of claiming moments of pride and joy for myself.
While the blood drains from my fingers, I hear the deeply ingrained script—"keep your head down, exceed expectations, and just get on with it." It's a narrative that discourages making a fuss, taking credit, or calling attention to myself. But in challenging this script, I'm reclaiming ownership of my accomplishments. I’m witnessing my own achievements.
I'm reminded of the innate human desire to be seen. Acknowledging our own accomplishments allows us to witness our efforts, passions, and gifts while humbly paying homage to our journey.
Reflecting on my journey through midlife, I realize that I've often neglected to celebrate myself. Somewhere along the way, I abandoned the joy of acknowledging my own achievements, opting instead to press on to the next challenge. I can remember standing like this as a kid, proud as heck of the mud pies, impromptu plays, silly acts of kindness and an impressive (and never to be repeated) math score. When did I stop standing on my tiptoes with pride and glory beaming from my forehead, happy to be in my moment of contribution?
By skipping this step of simple celebration, I've allowed myself to go unnoticed, neglecting my own spirit and contributing to my sense of lagging.
So, I'm embarking on an experiment—a commitment to stand up at the end of each accomplishment, big or small, and declare, "I did it!" with a smile and a tilt of my head. I refuse to let these moments pass me by, choosing instead to celebrate not only the world around me but also the world within.
Will you join me on this journey? Whether it's mastering a new skill, nurturing relationships, achieving career milestones, or simply finding joy in everyday moments, let's whisper a little "I did it" and honor the moment with a pause and celebration before charging forward to the next chapter.
Go on, give it a try—hands up, head tilted back, "I did it!”
