How to Celebrate Coming Through a Tough Time

Progress is always worth celebrating, both in and out of the workplace. Whether you’ve been dealing with anxiety, burnout, stress, or any kind of pressing situation, taking the time to acknowledge what you’ve conquered and to honour your progress plays an important role in your mental wellbeing.

When we recognise personal growth in a positive way, it inspires us to keep going and continue our pursuit of a fulfilling life. It serves as a reminder of how resilient we can be and also what we can achieve when we persevere through tough times or situations. If you want to mark your successes in surviving whatever curveballs life has thrown your way, these ideas can help you do so.

This week, guest writer Gladys Torres returns with another piece for Calmer, sharing insights on how to navigate challenging times and a proactive mindset.

Do something that boosts your confidence

One way to celebrate coming through a tough time is to do something that affirms you and boosts your confidence. Overcoming difficulties in your life tends to already be a confidence boost, but taking that feeling even further can motivate you to continue your journey of growth.

There are many confidence-boosting ways to celebrate yourself. You can treat yourself to a new look, such as a haircut — which studies indicate can have psychological and mental health benefits — a new outfit, or even an empowering exercise class that releases those feel-good hormones in the brain, such as endorphins.

Celebrate with loved ones

The people closest to you are likely to know how tough a time you may have experienced recently, and chances are, they want to celebrate you overcoming it just as much as you do.

Studies have shown that boosting our connection with friends and loved ones is vital for improved wellbeing, and doing something fun with friends and family can be a highly rewarding way to celebrate your progress. It doesn’t have to be grand or expensive — activities like a picnic, a hike, a movie night, or any activity that helps you bond with those you love are all good places to start.

If you have a partner, doing something special with them can be a lovely way to share your success with them. This can also deepen the relationships you share with those closest to you and encourage future growth.

Share a meal

Food and celebration have gone hand in hand since the dawn of time. Preparing a nourishing meal and eating it with friends and family is a healthy and comforting way to celebrate what you’ve gone through and reestablish some vitality in your life.

If you enjoy cooking, take the kitchen by storm, or if you'd prefer to eat out, book a restaurant that serves food you love.

Sitting down with loved ones and good food is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and getting to do it after emerging from a difficult time makes it all the sweeter.

Invest in a self-gift

Setting aside a small budget to invest in something that contributes to your health and happiness can be a rewarding way to celebrate overcoming a difficult time.

Treating yourself to a gift every now and then can create a positive association with perseverance and motivate you to continue approaching life with resilience. Your gift doesn’t have to be physical, either. It can be a gift of time to yourself, moments to reflect on the gratitude you feel or any intangible yet treasured activity or moment that enriches your soul.

Spend time in nature

Spending time in nature has many proven mental and physical health benefits. It supports the nervous system, decreases stress, and enhances your sense of vitality. It can also be a great opportunity to see life from a fresh perspective — something that everyone can benefit from after coming through a particularly tough time.

Consider taking yourself and maybe a couple of friends or family members camping, hiking, or a walk on the beach. This can help you unplug from the world for a while and contemplate your growth in a beautiful and undisturbed setting.

Document your progress

Another impactful way to celebrate coming through a difficult period of your life is to document and reflect on your progress.

Journaling, creative expression, and even talking to a trusted professional or friend can have a powerful effect on your sense of selfhood and well-being. No matter what kind of difficulty you have overcome, be it very personal or workplace-related, taking time to reflect on what parts of it challenged you and how you overcame it can teach you about yourself on a deeper level.

Documenting your growth can help you become more self-aware, understand the factors that contributed to your past difficulties, and empower you to approach the future with more self-awareness. The more you understand about yourself, the easier it becomes to navigate life.

Add to your self-care routine

Self-care is one of the kindest acts of service you can show yourself at any time. Although it’s important to practice self-care as it promotes positive health outcomes, if you want to mark your resilience and determination, you can also ensure you’re embedding self-care practices in your routine at specific times. Doing this is a good way to thank your body and mind for helping you get through.  

Whether you take a soothing bath or shower, read a book, meditate, or something else entirely, do whatever it is that feeds your soul and fills your cup.

Focus on maintaining your momentum

When you feel like you’ve emerged successfully from a challenging time of your life, it’s beneficial to pause, reflect, and celebrate what you’ve overcome. Keep in mind that you can continue riding that positive energy forward with enough determination and self-care.

It may also be helpful to remember that growth is not linear. Life can be unpredictable, but by adopting empowering habits and taking time to acknowledge the positive moments, you can equip yourself to handle every challenge with grace.

Celebrate you, your way

The decision to celebrate coming through a tough time is a personal one, but it is an important one to embrace. Surviving personal and work challenges is no small feat, and taking the time to acknowledge any adversity we face and how we have thrived despite it, is a key attribute of a fulfilling life.

Everyone celebrates in different ways, but this list can serve as encouragement to reflect on what brought you through a difficult phase and inspire you to proceed with confidence and self-awareness for a more balanced and fulfilling life experience.

---

Gladys Torres is a writer, and advocate for self-care and leading a healthy lifestyle. She hopes that her writing can inspire others to prioritise their mental and physical well-being.

With an absolute love for food and a self proclaimed foodie, when she's not writing Gladys loves to experiment in the kitchen and try out new recipes.