True Nature
Wilderness Therapy
The Magic of Small Wins and Joys
The Magic of Small Wins and Joys: Why They’re More Important Than You Think:
Picture this: You finally remember to water your houseplant before it starts looking like a shriveled piece of lettuce. Or you resist the urge to scroll on your phone first thing in the morning, even just once. Or maybe you take a deep breath before reacting to a stressful email.These might not seem like grand, life-altering victories. No one's handing out medals for remembering their reusable grocery bags or pausing before a knee-jerk reaction. But here’s the thing—small wins like these? They matter. A lot.
The Power of Tiny Moments
We’re often told to celebrate the big stuff—getting the job, running the marathon, getting engaged, starting a business, having babies, because after all, have you ever seen a hallmark card that says “Congratulations on not acting in a passive aggressive way today!” But in reality, life is mostly made up of small moments. And when we only focus on the big milestones, we miss out on a whole world of quiet victories.That moment when you step outside and realize the air smells extra crisp today? Win. The day you get out of bed even though everything feels heavy? Big win.
The workout you get done even though you didn’t want to go. Extra win. The time you notice you’re being hard on yourself and choose a more gentle thought instead? Huge win.
All of these small moments are what actually shape our habits, our mindset, and ultimately, our lives, not just those massive milestones we hit every couple years or so.
Why Noticing Small Wins Feels So Good
When we take a second to acknowledge small wins, a couple of really great things happen:
It rewires our brain for joy. When we notice small good things, our brain learns to look for more of them. It’s like training a puppy—what we reinforce grows, and compounds. (more on that here)
It builds momentum. A bunch of small wins over time can shift everything. Think of it like tiny drops of water filling a glass.
It makes the hard stuff feel easier. When life feels overwhelming, pausing for a moment to enjoy a cloud passing by can offer the capacity to keep going.
How to Start Noticing (Without Overthinking It)
Noticing small wins doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. You don’t need a colour-coded gratitude journal (unless that’s your thing). You just need to notice.
Here are some easy ways to start:
Give yourself mini high-fives. Just mentally. “Hey, I actually drank water before coffee today. Go me.”
Pause when something feels nice. The way the sun hits your window, the taste of your tea, that one deep breath that felt extra good—just notice it for a second.
Shift your definition of success. Some days, success is climbing a mountain. Other days, it’s putting on clean socks. Both count.
Say it out loud. “That was a win.” Especially if it’s just to yourself.
The Smallest Things Make the Biggest Difference
You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. You don’t have to wait for the big, shiny milestones to feel proud of yourself. The small moments are the magic. So, here’s to noticing them. Here’s to celebrating the tiny wins. And here’s to telling ourselves we’re doing a damn good job.
With love, Julia
Julia Bursey, Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), True Nature Wilderness Therapy Offering walk & talk counselling sessions in Squamish, BC.
Check this:
Check out why Mel Robins LOVES high fives and a study that supports the neuroscience behind mindfulness, glimmers, and the micro-movements and moments that make up our lives.
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At True Nature Wilderness Therapy, we offer gentle, evidence-based outdoor therapy on trail in Whistler and Squamish, and online across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories for individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, life transitions, and more.
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