Some days I feel like I haven’t made any progress. If anything, some days it feels like I’ve gone backwards. But then I remind myself of two things:

Life is a journey. Not a sprint.

There’s nothing to “win” or “crush”, despite that thinking being schooled in us.

So, instead let’s long view 2020 and honor where we have made progress. Maybe it’s in offering more gratitude. Or a certain number of days moving our body or being sober. Maybe it’s in cutting back on stuff or soda. Maybe it’s daily writing. Or maybe it’s being more confident as a single parent. Here are a few of mine:

Started my first garden which included growing and eating my own "Be My Baby" cherry tomatoes. (See left!!) I also watered and weeded.
Turned down 2 offers of work. One because I wasn't feeling like my time and expertise was being respected. The other because I will no longer speak at events that feature mainly white speakers.
Prioritized working out. I started doing online exercise videos at home after my gym closed. Scheduled and planned! Before breaking two bones in my foot, I worked out most mornings.
Started journalling. I began a "1-line-a-day for 5 years" journal that I do before bed and a "write whatever I want" journal.

Take a moment and remind yourself, in a generous and thoughtful way as if you were one of your besties talking, how far you’ve come this year. Count the non-traditional "successes", like mine above. They matter too. Maybe even more. I talk about this in my final newsletter of 2020. It comes out on every other Wednesday. Last one of the year: this Wednesday 12/30. Head here to subscribe.