You may celebrate a birthday with cake, a marathon with a medal, or hard work with a diploma or a bonus at work.
So, what do you do when you reach a milestone in your mental health recovery?
Sadly, for many of those recovering from mental health issues, the answer is nothing. But progress in your mental well-being is great news, worthy of celebration.
Examples of mental health milestones
There’s a reason why schools and workplaces hand out rewards for meeting certain metrics: Rewards encourage us to keep going.
On your mental health journey, celebrating these milestones can help you keep going, too:
Firsts: Maybe you’ve had your first session with a therapist or stepped out of your comfort zone to go to a support group meeting. There are many firsts you can celebrate, big and small.
New habits: Think about what you’ve been working on and the new habits you’ve formed. For example, if you tend to think negatively about yourself, consider how many times you’ve successfully shut down those negative thoughts with something positive instead.
Asking for and accepting help: Whether it’s the first time or the 20th time, the fact that you know you need help and are willing to ask for and accept it is a big deal. For example, you struggle with an addiction, and you decide to call your sponsor or a helpline instead of reaching for that hit.
Days without self-harm: Self-harm can take many forms, from purposefully putting yourself in dangerous situations to not eating. You can set a goal not to self-harm for a certain length of time — and encourage yourself to keep going by acknowledging that milestone.
Completing positive daily tasks: When poor mental health can make it hard even to get out of bed, take a shower, clean the house, or go to work, the ability to successfully do those things is a win.
Ways to celebrate your mental well-being
Need some ideas on how to recognize the positive steps you’ve taken for your mental well-being? How about:
A little self-care: Treat yourself to a massage or a facial, for example. Or, maybe it’s as simple as blocking out time to sit outside with a cup of tea and a good book. Whatever it is, make it a little treat you don’t usually get to enjoy.
Time spent with friends or family: It can feel brave to open up about your struggles to friends or family. If you do, bring them in to your wins, too, by getting together to celebrate your success. It will help motivate you further.
Activities you enjoy: What are some positive activities that would encourage you to continue your mental health recovery? For example, enjoy dinner out at a trendy restaurant, run a 5K, take a class, volunteer, or plan a trip.
A gift to yourself: It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. How about a bunch of flowers, new clothes, or new music from an artist you love? You could even start a bracelet or necklace where you add a bead for each milestone you meet.
However, you choose to celebrate how far you’ve come, make it meaningful to you.
Finding your joy
Still, when you’re still struggling, sometimes it’s hard to see the wins. One idea is to keep a journal — either in a notebook or on your phone — to jot down your goals and where you are. You could even use a planner as a journal, which makes it a little easier to see day by day how you’re progressing in your mental health journey. If you are seeing a therapist, they can also help remind you how much you’ve grown.
You also may not feel ready to celebrate in any sort of big way. And that’s OK, too. Sometimes the best reward is the joy in realizing how much you’ve overcome — and knowing you have the support and the tools to keep on going.
Looking for a therapist who can help you on your journey? Willowbrooke at Tanner has a full array of outpatient services that focus on treating the whole person. Call 770-812-3266 for a free, confidential mental health screening. For immediate needs, visit Willowbrooke Urgent Care for Mental Health and Substance Use, no appointment necessary. To learn more, www.WillowbrookeUrgentCare.org.