According to Polly Campbell in Psychology Today we should celebrate everything from a great side dish to the weekend. Any celebration, big or small, is really about taking a beat to notice the good stuff in your life. It can also be a reminder of our talents and abilities, skills and persistence. Drawing on those things can motivate us to keep working toward our goals.
I am shaking my head in disgust with myself for not doing this. Not even a little bit. Ugh. How on earth can I possibly coach other women to celebrate themselves if I’m not doing this on a regular basis?
Here’s how:
One: Because I am aware of this short-coming; and
Two: Because I know enough to get some coaching around this topic this week.
This is my truthful, authentic, open and extremely vulnerable explanation of my humanity and lack of perfection.
Reason To Celebrate
So, here’s the deal. I’ve had some pretty exciting things happen recently, that I have failed to celebrate in a way that feels, well, celebratory.
I cried 
tears of joy upon hearing I was officially a Certified Wayfinder Life Coach from the Martha Beck Institute. I texted Jimmy and I posted this accomplishment on Facebook, but that’s about it. I’ve had several friends and classmates say, “I hope you’re doing something amazing to celebrate this accomplishment.”
There was a woman I don’t even know who said: “I hope you take time to celebrate the heck out of this.”
As I read that, it brought me up short.
I haven’t taken the time to really celebrate this accomplishment, even to myself. I simply acknowledge it and get back to work. Shameful.
And here’s the rub, if – as is recommended above – I’m not celebrating the wins in my life, how will I stay motivated to keep working on my numerous goals? Well?
What Am I Missing?!
Bear with me, I’m thinking out-loud here…
Maybe I just don’t know how to celebrate. Could it be that in the ten years since I’ve been sober, I haven’t really celebrated anything? Oh, now, that’s NOT cool.
Maybe, for me, I need to learn how to celebrate, really celebrate, without alcohol. I shouldn’t have to pop a champagne cork to feel like I’m celebrating something. But, for some reason, getting a pedicure or buying a new outfit doesn’t seem to produce the same effect. I’m not even talking about drinking the champagne, I’m just talking about the gesture of doing “something” that signifies a celebration.
I mentioned this to Jimmy as we sit down for dinner tonight. At first, he thought I was complaining that he didn’t do enough to celebrate my wins. That is so not true, and I assured him it doesn’t have anything to do with him.
You see…it’s something that’s missing in me. I need to create a “celebration something” that is reserved for the fun, exciting, unexpected wins in my life. A great playlist and dancing, or a special treat reserved just for celebrations, big or small.
Help a gal out, won’t you? Seriously.
Send me some ideas. What do you do to celebrate your wins?
My name is Nancy McKay and I coach women, most of them are over 50, who are going through a major transition in their lives and don’t know what the hell happened. They’re feeling lost and afraid because they don’t know what their future looks like. I help them figure out how to feel happy and at peace with their life.
Interested to find out if coaching is right for you?
If you’re looking for a coach that will inspire, motivate and empower you AND that knows how you feel -we should talk.
One of best compliments I’ve received was “You helped me in seeing things from a different lens – I can’t believe I learned so much in one meeting! I can’t wait to see what else I learn from you.” Helping women make a shift in their thinking and in their lives thrills me to pieces and drives everything I do.
If you’d like to schedule a FREE Discovery Call, give me a shout!
