In a world that often glorifies the next big milestone, it’s easy to fall into a trap of constantly striving for the next thing, without taking a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come.
Whether it’s in our careers, personal lives, or even our Pilates practice, we are guilty of downplaying our accomplishments. We nitpick flaws, deflect compliments, and forget to pause and celebrate the wins—both big and small. But why do we do this, and why is it so important to change?
The Habit of Downplaying Success
Many of us struggle with celebrating our own achievements. When someone compliments us, we’re quick to brush it off, saying things like “It was nothing,” or pointing out what we could’ve done better. We focus on our perceived shortcomings rather than acknowledging our successes.
So, why do we do this? Several factors play into this behavior:
- Fear of appearing arrogant: Society often equates confidence with arrogance. This leads us to believe that acknowledging our wins might come off as boastful, so we downplay them to appear humble.
- Impostor syndrome: Many people, especially high achievers, feel like they don’t deserve their success. This psychological phenomenon, known as impostor syndrome, makes us feel like we’re frauds, constantly doubting our achievements and fearing that we’ll be “found out.”
- Perfectionism: In a culture that celebrates perfection, we become our harshest critics. When we set impossibly high standards for ourselves, even a win can feel insufficient if it’s not flawless.
- Focus on the Next Goal: We live in a fast-paced society where accomplishments are quickly overshadowed by the next goal on our to-do list. We rush forward, always focusing on what’s next, forgetting to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come.
- It’s learnt behaviour: Toxic relationships may have told us that we’re not good enough. Hearing this over and over again can start to stick, the habit becomes learnt and repeated to ourselves, by ourselves, even long after the relationship is over until we learnt to break the cycle.
Why It’s So Important to Celebrate Wins
Failing to acknowledge our successes can be deeply harmful. It diminishes our confidence, limits our growth, and can lead to burnout. Whether in life or in Pilates, celebrating wins is vital for long-term progress. Here’s why:
- Boosting Self-Esteem: Recognizing our achievements builds confidence. Each time we celebrate a win, we reinforce the belief that we are capable and worthy of success. This positive reinforcement fuels future accomplishments.
- Motivation to Keep Going: Celebrating small victories creates momentum. When we acknowledge how far we’ve come, it motivates us to continue pushing forward. It becomes easier to stay committed to long-term goals when we appreciate the progress made along the way.
- Shifting Focus to the Journey: Life, like Pilates, is not about reaching a final destination. It’s about the journey—the growth, the lessons, the challenges overcome, and the joy in movement. By celebrating wins, we learn to value the process, not just the outcome. Each milestone, no matter how small, is a step forward.
- Cultivating Gratitude: Taking time to reflect on your accomplishments fosters a sense of gratitude. It reminds you of the progress you’ve made, the support you’ve received, and the personal effort it took to get there. Gratitude helps you stay grounded and present, appreciating life in its current state, rather than always chasing what’s next.
- Enhancing Relationships: When we allow ourselves to celebrate, we also give others permission to celebrate with us. Whether it’s a partner, a friend, or a Pilates instructor, shared celebrations strengthen bonds, creating a supportive and positive environment. People feel closer when they can partake in each other’s joy.
Life and Pilates: A Journey, Not a Destination
The practice of Pilates is a powerful metaphor for life itself. In Pilates, we don’t just show up one day and master every move perfectly. It’s a constant, evolving journey of improvement, awareness, and patience. You celebrate the first time you hold a Teaser, the improvement in your posture, and the days when you feel your body aligning with the movements, or the time spent in home life when you realise you suddenly don’t have your usual aches and pains you once had.
But it’s easy to fall into the habit of pushing through without reflecting on progress, always trying to perfect that one challenging move, always focssing on what we didn’t quite master. We forget that every session, even the ones where we struggle, brings growth.
We forget the two most important phrases of life and Pilates,
” Thanks (for the compliments) that means a lot (or that’s really nice to hear).”
“I can’t do it … YET! But that’s what I’m working towards.”
Similarly, life isn’t about reaching a final goal or destination. It’s about who we become in the process of striving for those goals. Every small win, every lesson learned, every challenge overcome is a step in the right direction. Celebrating those moments reminds us that life is happening now, not some far-off point in the future when we’ve “made it.”
How to Start Celebrating Your Wins
So how do we break the habit of self-criticism and start celebrating our achievements? Here are some practical steps to get started:
- Keep a Success Journal: At the end of each week, write down three things you accomplished. They don’t have to be huge milestones—maybe you finally nailed that Pilates move, had a productive workday, made time for self-care or simply you didn’t spill your coffee all over you like you normally do! Over time, you’ll see how much progress you’re making.
- Accept Compliments: When someone praises you, resist the urge to deflect. Instead, say “thank you” and allow yourself to receive the compliment, without feeling the need to return the compliment. Remember, acknowledging your success doesn’t make you arrogant—it makes you self-aware.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Don’t wait for a big achievement to celebrate. Each small victory is a building block toward your larger goals. Take time to recognise and reward yourself for the little things along the way. If you didn’t quite ‘do’ the whole Pilates exercise but you really tried hard and felt what you were trying to do, celebrate the honest and humbling work.
- Practice Gratitude: Make a habit of reflecting on what you’re grateful for in both your life and your Pilates practice. This helps you focus on the positives and appreciate the progress you’re making.
- Surround Yourself with Positivity: Share your wins with supportive people who encourage you to celebrate yourself. Whether it’s your Pilates community, friends, or family, let others lift you up when you’ve achieved something.
In Conclusion
Life and Pilates are journeys, not destinations. Every step you take, every challenge you face, and every achievement you make deserves to be celebrated. Stop putting yourself down, picking at flaws, or rushing to the next goal without pausing to appreciate your growth.
Start acknowledging how far you’ve come, both in life and in your practice. Celebrate your wins, embrace the journey, and enjoy the process of becoming the best version of yourself.