Necessary Check-Ins
It’s interesting to consider how many lessons we learn on a regular basis and how quickly and seamlessly we can consolidate them into our daily lives. So quickly that it is easy to forget that we used to think or do differently before. That beautiful way that humans can adapt to our environment can also lead to us ignoring how far we’ve come.
Don’t get me wrong, there are absolutely hard fought lessons that are messy enough or difficult enough that it is hard to miss. But I think those are more of the outliers. In general, I think we learn and adapt without much notice.
I’ve been working towards a goal for a while now. More passively dreaming of it and making small steps towards it for years and then actively pursuing it for the last year. I’ve had many instances where I’ve felt worried about it and uncertain if it would ever happen. It has also felt humiliating when good meaning people check in to see how it is going and I have had no progress to report. I can logically reason that building something takes time, but when faced with smiling faces eagerly asking for updates, and expecting something different, that amplifies your uncertainty and insecurity. After no progress month after month after month, you start to worry that there really is something wrong with you, and worse yet, that others will realize that too.
I think I shut down, avoided talking about it, pretended it did not exist. It was a protective avoidance. But people still asked and I had to figure out how to respond. Sometimes you have to answer the question you want to answer even if it is not always the question that was asked of you, if you aren’t able to ‘go there’ right now. I put a positive spin on it for some and was more honest about my fears and the process with others.
Then my sister checked in with me this week. As I was sharing something that felt routine to me, she started questioning me and I realized that the last time I spoke with her I still had little to no “reportable” progress in this area. Her excitement for me was kind and took me aback some. In the moment, I tried to practice accepting her excitement, and later I really considered it. In the matter of two months, I have had significant progress towards this goal, after months of stagnation.
What a change. What a difference a day, a few days, a month can make. At the beginning of the year I was praying for one trickle, and now I have seven trickles. That is pretty neat.
But I just adapted. I got a bite and I followed through with the next steps, adjusted my schedule, prepared as needed, completed the necessary tasks, and then off to the next thing. Not really considering the answered prayer and hopes. I do recognize that I have felt grateful for each new bite that I have received, but I have not stopped to really consider what each of those means for my overall plans.
I still have a larger goal that I’m working towards and who knows when I will get there, but as for now, I am going to take a moment to acknowledge that things did shift, progress was made, and my timeline not looking like my neighbor’s is okay.
Now what if nothing had ever changed? That’s an important thought for another time. For now, I think it is important to take note of your life; where you have come from, where you are going, and what you have done lately that has brought you joy, purpose, or a sense of accomplishment. What are you learning, how are you growing, what have you enjoyed? Starting a class, planting a garden, watching your children learn a new skill, training an animal, gaining a new certification, organizing that room, getting a nighttime routine down, finding a medication that works, working with a doctor/therapist that listens well, lifting heavier weights, perfecting your morning coffee, whatever it is, it’s worth taking note of. Write it down, add the date to it, and maybe share about it with someone else. Life is full of tiny moments that make up the years and each of those moments make us who we are, let’s not let the boring and unpleasant moments always take front stage.
As for me, on May 23, 2026 I’m noticing multiple areas of my life that I’ve been working towards and are now some sort of a reality. It’s not perfect, but it’s something, and I’m going to acknowledge that.
How about you?
