Practicing Celebration
A powerful way to improve mental health and stay motivated through life's challenges.
As we’re nearing the end of 2024, I’ve been reflecting on all the changes that have happened in my life this year and also looking to the future for all the things I’d like to do next year. I’ve accomplished a lot: taking orchestra auditions, taking good care of my two cats (and re-leash training one of them), getting health insurance and taking care of myself, completing a meditation teacher training, moving to Tucson, starting my first probationary year with the symphony, rebuilding my platform and creating content again, applying to a festival, and getting hired at a local yoga studio! I’m finally starting to live my dream of balancing orchestra and yoga careers.
To be completely honest it hasn’t been easy. [Btw please feel free to skip this mental health trauma-dump paragraph and jump to the celebration tips if you like.] Despite how my life may appear online, I periodically struggle with my mental health. I feel deeply sad about the fact that my cats are getting older and one of them has been having more serious health issues. I’ve been grieving them over the last couple of months even though they are still here. Big life changes are hard for me, and I miss my friends and my boyfriend. Even though it’s been a few years, I’m still processing everything that happened in my life during the pandemic shutdown. With the genocides happening in different parts of the world, it feels hopeless that things will change. The stress of everything has amped up my intrusive thoughts and sometimes it all feels overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’m ok and have mental health support. One of my strengths (and weaknesses) is my ability to push through difficult emotions or situations and continue showing up, even when I don’t want to. I’m grateful for this ability and can acknowledge my accomplishments, but it is so hard for me to celebrate them.
Whether or not you find it challenging to celebrate your accomplishments, it is so important that we do. Without celebration, it can be easy to take our success for granted and become jaded about our work or reach a stage of burnout. Maybe we’re not yet where we want to be with our goals, but celebrating the small steps can be incredibly motivating. For me, celebration is a practice of looking for the joy in everything I do and seeing the value in it. Here are a few ways that I celebrate:
Making time for a special event, like a yoga class or meeting with friends for lunch.
Treating myself to something small, like a cup of tea.
Going for a drive and/or hike somewhere in nature that I don’t normally go.
Telling my close friends that I’m celebrating.
Buying something like a video game, a book, or clothing.
Making a dish I usually don’t make at home.
Are there ways that you celebrate? Feel free to share with us in the comments!