You deserve a trophy

Our nervous systems are not built for the dangling carrot lifestyle of never “arriving.” We deserve to rest, pause, and celebrate our wins.

Remember those days of collecting gold stars on a chart and celebrating the end of the reading program at the library by winning a free book and a personal-sized pizza from Pizza Hut? Or collecting your trophy at the end of the soccer season, cheering with teammates, and looking forward to the Spring or Fall when you could do it all over again?

Maybe for you, it wasn’t soccer but debate or theater. Maybe your teachers, coaches, and parents had other, unique ways they celebrated your accomplishments as a kid. But I bet you remember the feeling of pride and joy in those moments.

When was the last time you celebrated a win?

As adults, we are bombarded by to-do lists and career goals. “Wellness” culture reminds us we can never stop our hamster wheel pursuit of self-improvement. Social media insists we compete and compare, creating a sense of constant “lagging behind.”

Our nervous systems are not built for the dangling carrot lifestyle of never “arriving.” The fight or flight response activated by hustle culture was never meant to be a chronic condition. We deserve to rest, pause, and celebrate our wins.