Sitting On the Sidelines of Other’s Milestones.

Sitting front-row to the celebrated milestones of the people around you is beautiful. 

Last week, I sat and watched my brother get married. Last month, I watched work friends relish in the congratulations for promotions. 

The celebration and fanfare are beautiful. 

All the fuss over these milestones made me think about the value society has placed on some events over others. 

As a spectator, I cheered and applauded and even shed a few tears. Smiles on everyone’s faces and even tears in others’ eyes, this was a spectacle celebrated and loved. Years of dating led to this, and everyone was happy for them. 

 But at the back of my mind, I thought about those milestones not publicly celebrated. And how the lack of applause does not mean a lack of progress and growth. 

These thoughts played in my head as I sat on tiffany chairs in the garden of some exclusive club. The clouds perfectly shaded the guests from the beating sun as vows were exchanged. 

The Reality of Progress

Even if hundreds of people gather together for such a ceremony, reality does not grant it to everyone.

I am not saying I will never tie the knot, but I have no grounds to say I will walk down the same path either. But just because I am not getting married or promoted in the near future, that does not mean I have not been crossing milestones and progressing in my life.

Years of waiting for doors to open in someone’s personal journey or career are not anticipated by friends and family.  Seemingly, this is nothing compared to the joy and celebration of new chapters such as marriage, promotions, acquiring a new house, or even childbirth.

Not all our milestones are publicly declared, presented to the world, or displayed exclusively to specially selected guests.

Your friends and family are not waiting to be invited to your resignation party. They would not gather for the day when the heavy cloud over your head turns into sunshine, or maybe the day you finally travel to the other side of the world alone.  Many do not anticipate the day you successfully stand up to your boundaries or the day you decide to keep physical activity in your daily routine.

Despite lackluster recognition of these, they are valid, meaningful milestones. 

Small Wins Are Worth Celebration

Having moved on from my corporate job and watching the dust settle in my new career, I believe I  have entered a milestone in my life. Something others will never see, my friends may never understand, and my family may not notice. I believe it is there—a testament to my growth and maturity. I can proudly say that, right now, I am in a better place when people ask.

Although I do not have hundreds of people lining up to congratulate me, or a fancy venue to witness how far I  have come, I have a reason to celebrate.  My personal progress is a reason to rejoice in my own right. Even if it is just my dog and me.

So here is a short reminder to keep going, even if they aren’t cheering you on, if your journey is not in the limelight, and your achievements and success go unnoticed. 

You have already gone so far, even if others do not see it. You are doing your best. You are doing great!

Small wins are still wins, and they are worth celebrating.

So be proud of your progress, proud of your perseverance. Others may not notice, but the fact that you are not giving up is a reason to celebrate in itself.  

I know I am not alone in my silent journey. You aren’t too.