Some weeks feel like a marathon in heels with no finish line in sight. The job market is a mess. People are getting ghosted by recruiters, side hustles are slow to start, and the news feels heavy. And yet, here we are. Still showing up. Still trying. Still becoming.
This week, I celebrated a win that wouldn’t make anyone’s highlight reel. I finally signed back up for my hot yoga and meditation class. I kept finding reasons to wait: cost, time, exhaustion, the usual loop of doubt. Would I stick to it? Was this indulgent? But I did it.
I showed up for myself. For something I know would keep me grounded and allow me to build a community. Something we all need. Yes, I was looking to build new friendships, find more women who reflect the heart of this newsletter. Real, reflective, ready to grow. And for the first time in months, I finally did the thing I kept putting off. And it was my very proud win.
I also made it through a week of back-to-back meetings, parenting curveballs, and writing deadlines without losing my mind or my sense of humor. That counts too.
So today’s message is simple: celebrate anyway.
Not because everything is polished and perfect. But because you're still here. Still doing the work. Still becoming the version of yourself who doesn’t need permission to be proud.
And I know it’s hard. Ooh, do I know it. I beat myself up all the time for not being where I think I should be in life. So here’s how to celebrate your wins with genuine joy, no gold stars required.
Let's start with gratitude. Gratitude is not toxic positivity. It's perspective. And I know it is not a bold new idea. But how often do we really practice it? I mean honestly, beautiful. We say we’re grateful, but underneath it all, we still feel weighed down, by what we lack, the milestones we’ve missed, the loves we’ve lost.
It doesn’t erase the hard stuff. But when you lean into real, grounded gratitude, those heavy things shrink. Not because they don’t matter, but because they no longer take center stage. Gratitude invites us to rewrite the emotional headline of our day.
Brené Brown reminds us, “Practicing gratitude invites joy into our lives.” Not because everything is easy, but because we choose to notice what’s still worth noticing.
Write it down.
At the end of each day, jot down what you actually did. Not what you planned, but what you accomplished.
Sent the pitch
Folded the laundry
Took a walk instead of doom scrolling
This list is quiet proof you're moving, even when momentum feels slow.
The Enough Check-In.
Ask yourself, “What would giving my best look like today?” Not perfect. Not impressive. Just enough. Some days, for me, it’s dressing up and getting outside. Other days, it’s landing the PR hit that moves the needle. Enough might just be looking in the mirror and whispering, “This is only a chapter, not the whole book.” You still have time to rewrite the ending.
Your perception becomes your reality.
If you believe you’re behind, you’ll move like someone who’s behind. If you believe you're building something meaningful, even in the mess, you’ll move like someone who's becoming.
Think of your mindset like a social algorithm. What you engage with, you get more of. If life’s downloading fear, comparison, and doubt, shift your lens.
Not getting interviews? Try, “I have so many interviews lined up, I can’t keep up.” Feeling drained juggling work and baby? Say, “My energy’s shifting. I’ve got pockets of freedom today.”
I’ve seen this shift reshape every corner of my life. Give it a try. Be consistent. Report back. There's a direct link between how you think and how you move through the world.
Mark the moment.
Light a candle. Pour the drink. Text the friend. Dance to your favorite song. Celebrate. Because if you're waiting for the big wins, you’ll miss the quiet magic of the small ones. And trust me, surviving the week absolutely counts.
Why Jenny? Because small wins are still wins. Because you said so. And that’s worth everything.
Until next time, own your story. Burn the script.
XOXO Jenny