Not the stuff that looks good on a resume or what gets applause from others but something real. Something small maybe, but meaningful. For me, it was finally reaching out to an old friend to apologize for something I should’ve said years ago. No one else will ever know about it, but it felt like lifting a boulder off my chest.
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That I am done pleasing other people. And start to care more about myself
I started to go to gym more often, drink more water and basically exercise haha
I’ve been working on renovating my backyard lawn. It’s been 5 or 6 straight weekends of anywhere from 6-12 hours each weekend of work, some of it pretty labor intensive (I’m fat and out of shape). This past weekend I dug a large tree ring around a big tree in the yard, and put mulch in the ring.
I’m proud of the work/process and am starting to see the visible results of the work, and that makes me proud too.
I finally started selling all my music shit. I haven’t used it in years, but getting rid of it felt like shoveling dirt onto my own coffin.
But it’s time. Guitars. Pedals. Amps. Microphones. Dad’s Telecaster stays. Everything else must go.
Taking a new job in a different career field.
Hoping to get my budget on track and get a side gig going for extra cash.
That i’ve becoming way more positive over the last few months
I decided to start lifting when I started grad school.
I’m about to graduate and can now do pull ups with 70lbs added on the weight belt. When I enrolled, I couldn’t do a single one.
That I spent the last 15 years working seven days a week and caring for my parents, even though they were abusive and cheated me financially. I went through a whirlwind, but I kept my honor and didn’t fall into my siblings’ trap of devaluing me. The same siblings that didn’t help me financially when I was supporting my parents.
In the end, I went through the meat grinder unscathed. It feels good.
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I’ve been writing a lot. And I’m prototyping a fun little design project too.
Found out my ex is getting married and my immediate reaction was genuine happiness for her. Not something I needed to fake, or to tell myself I’m happy about to prove to the universe I was over it. I’m just genuinely over it and wish her the best
It can feel like all this self improvement stuff isn’t “doing” anything, and you can’t know whether it’s working until you’re tested
Finally moved into my own apartment today.
Cutting out beer.
Improving, learning to feel my emotions, controlling my impulse, patience…
I bought a care home, and am making significant positive improvements to people’s lives, while improving my financial situation and providing great returns to my investors.
How far I’ve come & that she looks at me and tells me I’m a good man.
I got a lot of shit done today that I wanted. AND on my birthday – didn’t sit on my butt and drink (well, I did this afternoon/evening haha).
Losing weight and taking better care of myself. Lost 10 kgs so far
Being kind to the people that love me.
60 days alcohol free recently. Still being at the shitty ass second job couple weeks later.
I haven’t had a drink in 17 days now. Been trying to take a break.
I lost 40lbs down to 200lbs and my deadlift is at 475 and my squat is 410lbs currently.
48m Gym 6 days a week, sauna 3 times a week, just took myself and the two kids to Puerto Rico. Kicking ass at work.
Ive been getting back into hiking and backpacking. I made a goal to hike 30 miles a month and this month I’ve already hiked 50 miles. I also want to go on one more backpacking trip but I had a hard time on my last one in August because my sleeping gear wasn’t ideal and it’s only getting colder.
After 20 years of being a software and/or software adjacent engineer in the auto industry I landed a better compensated job as an electrical engineer in the utilities industry.
Hitting the gym pretty frequently and been prioritizing my health
Been helping my mom out at home with a lot of stuff she can’t handle anymore. I’ve repainted her living room, stained the deck, repaired her sink drain and even fixed her leaky faucets.
It’s a small set of things I can do to repay her for raising me
Untangling my brain and figuring things out. I finally feel like I can actually have the life I want for the first time in my life. It’s took years and tears, but it was worth it.
It’s only Monday and I got my ass cooked on the basketball court tonight by an alpaca in braces. How dare you shine that harsh light on my internal inadequacies so early in the week
I feel healthier than I ever have (at 52yrs old). I’m not at my peak nor am I a super model but I feel healthy and relaxed and more calm and sure of myself than i hsve in life.
I told the story before but (beyond several earlier times in my life where I almost died),.. the early alpha wave of covid19 hit me hard. March-April 2020 I spent 38 days in Hospital (16 of those days in ICU). Took me about 2 weeks to relearn how to walk again along with several months of oxygen tank and physical therapy. Bouncing back from that between June 2020 and June 2021, I walked 2,800 miles (averaging 7 to 10 miles a day). Longest streak on my Apple Watch is 512 days closing all 3 Rings every day.
In the 5 years or so since Covid19, I moved cross country for a new job that doubled my pay. The mental relief of getting out of old job, doubling my pay and being WFH has been a triple lift of healthier living.
I think most of my friends probably just saw me move away and go silent. But I’ve held down the new job for 2 years now and just living a quiet relaxing life. Its been great. I wanted to have $50k in the Bank by my 50th Birthday. Around $42k, so pretty close.
39m. Last month i went on a date. The time before that was like 2018.
Not blaming myself for existing. If I have a problem with myself I try to figure out what’s causing it and address it instead of wasting time with dwelling on the current circumstance.
I know that i am a good hearted person. Someone today actually randomly told me ” have i told you i respect you” in regards to how i handle social situations at work. Made me feel pretty good
Being more proactive about my health. Specifically, getting a heart condition diagnosed and working on the treatment. I’m 73 and have never put on a hospital gown and it’s kind of humbling to deal with needles, echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests and having to get a stent.
I made it to Nationals in my sport (pole dancing) this year. I also did a 1-arm pull-up.
I suppose getting to nationals is something that kind of goes in the resume / applause type of category but it’s still the first thing that comes to mind for me. I never thought I would be a nationally competitive in anything let alone anything that required strength, flexibility and physicality.
I’m about to be a dad for the first time, and multiple people a have told me how lucky the kid is to have me as a dad. I’m not sure there’s a compliment I would appreciate more
in my 50’s and setting new PB’s in the gym doesnt happen much anymore, so was very happy to hit a 100kg OHP after matching an old PB on bench. best bit was having my teenage son spotting the bench.
Down from 299lbs to 213lbs. I feel like a new person. Change in my diet, portion control, and Wegovy. Now I guess I need to start going to the gym.
In the best shape of my life and alcohol free for 3 years
Organized my garage more and work in it more. Took a leadership role in my son’s cub scout pack. I try to be less sentimental and dwell on things less and live in the moment. I have a semi-leadership role at work I have been well received in. It all started with deciding to start perpetual self improvement after I didn’t get a promotion at work that I deserved, a new guy with little experience got it by ass kissing. It’s nice to use a negative experience to find positive growth. Yes I’m still very bitter about ot, but silver linings.
I’ve helped three friends move in the last year. Having more hands to haul crap makes it so much smoother. Moving by yourself is one of the worst feelings.
I’m the only son that is taking care of my mom through a tough and long depressive crisis. I feel we’re finally getting out of it. My brothers didn’t do shit
I used to race in inline speedskating ( yes fancy super fast rollerblading) in the 2000s. I haven’t raced with conviction since 2004. Now that my kids are all in college and I have some free time, I trained hard this year and did the biggest inline speedskating marathon (26 miles) in the US in Duluth. MN two weeks ago. I far exceeded my expectations and did it in 1:26, averaging 18.4 mph at 55 years old. I am super happy about how I did overall, and also that I crushed the other people (aged 20s-40s) in my paceline when we sprinted for the finish. It was awesome
I’m mostly just proud of myself for still being here. My wife left me a few months ago. I was a faithful partner and friend for a decade. I supported her career even when it meant leaving behind family and friends, changing jobs, etc.
After years of sacrificing my needs for hers, I’m finally taking care of myself. Without getting into details, I’ve got a surgery coming up soon that will make a massive difference for my quality of life.
Even though I’m scared shitless, I’m proud of myself for finally committing to doing it.
I was just on vacation a couple weeks ago and definitely started slacking on hitting the weights. Just did a full-body workout on Sunday and plan on another one another one tomorrow
Flexibility is the fountain of youth.
My rigid broken down limping LBP friends have the life sucked out of them.
I was an athlete, and followed the same suit, but tried yoga in my 30s and glad I did.
I have a bounce in my step, the gleem in my eye, and radiant smile that draws women in.
going on dates. who cares if they ghost or say not interested after one or two dates. I’m showing up to life. once in a while I get sexual needs met too lol.
Im proud of the relationships I’ve fostered and maintained in my 30s. Reconnected with good friends and out the work in to spend time with them. Including travel, had the opportunity to use work travel to see and connect with an old friend- now we are going to europe to see them after their move this spring. We’ve made meaningful connections in our new city by putting ourselves out there.
We’ve had a number of friends from our old metro come for a visit- 300 miles away. We’ve gone there.
I’ve taken the same care of professional relationships. To great effect.
Got myself in an amazing new home after a divorce and I finally have control over my environment. My ex was basically a hoarder/shopaholic and I just couldn’t function. Now everything in my home has a place and is placed in the most convenient and efficient ways, and keeping my place clean and keeping myself clean is practically fun for me. Previously I was so depressed I’d stay up til 2am and sleep til 11am or later, and now I wanna go to bed at 9pm and wake up at 5am. My ex always accused me of being lazy but really it was that I simply couldn’t manage life in such a shitty environment. It feels so good to prove her wrong. I’ve even lost weight and am continuing to.
I’ve consistently put money in my Roth Ira not just a little here or there. I’ve been interested in investing since I was 17 but never really pulled the trigger how I should have
Got my blue belt in BJJ after being told I was cannabalizing the other white belts.
Im an alcoholic of 15 years and today I am 2 weeks sober
Waking up each day to make sure my son gets to school.
Getting harder and harder, and I find myself back in bed almost immediately when I get home.
But gotta make sure my little man gets a good education.
Turning down a “straightner” so I didn’t set a bad example to my son and step son and instead went back inside and continued watching TV with them.
Depressed for a few days as it was a knock to my pride but ultimately I’m proud of myself for it.
I finally started my Bachelor at age 30. Never too late to learn!
Bring able to keep my composure and not let my anxieties get the best of me.
Committing to a diet and exercise regiment. Decided to stop drinking alcohol entirely and I avoid processed foods like the plague. Since June I hired a personal trainer, I go to the gym 4 days a week, I’ve logged everything I’ve eaten. Since the beginning of the year I’ve lost over 45 pounds.
Being able to purchase a home without a mortgage. That is my biggest accomplishment so far
My daughter adores me and she’s my best friend
Got off my ass & back in the gym. 6 months later I’m down 40 pounds & 15% body fat!
My son started high school and he is loving it. He just got stuck in and is getting involved with everything. As parents we know that’s because of who he has become, not by accident.
Didn’t drink alcohol all of “25. Lost 25kg. Build muscle. Rocking new job. Had some curveballs along the way but sticked to it
I’ve lost 20 lbs.
I started going to the gym 3x a week at the beginning of last month. Missed a day cause I was sick a few weeks ago and gonna miss a day this week cause I have to get teeth pulled at the dentist but otherwise I’ve been consistent with it. Hasn’t really been long enough to see dramatic results yet but I can feel it a bit.
Biked 250 miles through August
Proud that I can provide for my kids on hobbies like skateboarding. The age old “that’s expensive” or “we’ll see” when I was a kid prob discouraged me so much from branching out. I never do that with my kids. Proud to see my daughter skating around trying things and being her own person.
The past while I finally decided to try and live the life I want and become an artist. It has been taking a lot of work, but it’s coming together and I finally feel like I have something to be proud of –no matter how small my victories are right now.
Nothing lately. Most recent was that in May I serviced the cylinder head of my motorcycle with just the service manual and a YT video for reference, and was able to reassemble everything correctly and in working order.
Stopped smoking.
Improved my garden.
Got promoted at work.
Did a cleanup of my house where I threw away all unneeded stuff (took months).
Completed a thru-hike.
Changed my shower on my own.
Being more consistent with my diet, spending less and taking action to start a new career. Maintaining a growing financial portfoljo as well.
Lost a lot of weight this year, like 10 lbs away from my weight in highschool which is cool. I haven’t been under 200 lbs since I was like 17 which is insane to me. Also went on a trip for a shooting comp/event a few states away with friends, something I’d never do typically. Going on another trip back to the same state next month.
Not a whole lot
I’m 61. I changed a burned out light bulb on my vehicle! I watched a YouTube video, and now I’m a full on mechanic. 🤣
I used to be annoyed with the time and patience that a relationship required. felt it was getting in the way or really just wasnt ready for one.
2 years into current relationship and i feel genuine joy and excitement everytime i hear from my partner. im not annoyed by her faults or mistakes, and my emotional response to issues is to slow down and do whats best for the relationship while maintaining my own boundaries.
At the aiport for a week long tropical vacation… we were late because of her and THEN she forgot her phone in the car after we checked our bags… Instant reaction was to call the shuttle and explain to get an emergency ride to our car. I was upset at the time (frustrated in an urgent situation) but the only thing I snapped at her was saying “If you cant come with me whats the point, were getting your phone together”. I am truly happy about that being the thing a somewhat raised my voice about. I was genuinely trying to come up with a backup ‘stay’ cation plan if we missed our flight (which we didnt). As long as I was with her… the week would have been worth it.
Finally got around to purging some of the unneeded crap out of my garage. Made room for me to drag out the meat grinder and make a batch of deer sausage that I’ve put off for a year. Still need to process all my tomatoes into sauce.
Other than that, No real accomplishments lately. I’m just in the thick of it. Slogging away at my 9-5 job and then going to engineering school at night. Spring of 2028 can’t come soon enough.
My wife complained to me that the fridge was too full. i said that’s a nice problem to have. She didn’t understand what I meant but as a person who grew up poor I almost cried happy tears for my family. They do not realize how good they have it and how hard I work for them.
My discipline and sticking to the daily routine
I’ve been in career building mode for a decade plus. Putting a lot of pressure on myself daily. Putting in hours. Always saying yes and never saying no to “opportunities” that provide value. It’s paid its dividends.
However, over the past few months I have been intentionally and deliberating trying to care less about work. It’s tough to rewire. Been taking more time to complete tasks. Taking more breaks. Ignoring non-urgent emails. Declining meeting invites. Delegating more. To my surprise nobody has said a thing. Nobody noticed (or at least hasn’t said anything) about the drop off in my responsiveness and output. It’s taken the edge off my stress levels, and I’m proud that i’m making the adjustment. It was time.
I started exercising a while ago and I look and feel better.
Jokes on you, they are going to tie
After my fiance and I broke up, I made a promise to her and myself to actually “work on myself” and I’ve been fucking killing it.
The first two months were absolute hell, but I pushed through and hit the gym, went for walks/runs, started therapy, deepened connections with my best friends, and cooking amazing food for myself. And as I have continued this work for month 3, I’m actually doing really well! Better than I thought I would be. Ive even made some new friends who have really helped my confidence and sense of individuality 😁
I made the decision a little over three years ago to be the parent to stay home with a sick newborn. Was a warehouse/logistics manager. During that time, I had many, mostly in laws, people ridicule, criticize and question my abilities as man. Simply because I traded a paycheck for diaper changes and Sesame Street.
Finding another manager job proved difficult when I was ready to go back to work. Got a low level warehouse job. By week 3, was told I’d be management soon. By week 5, I was managing a team of 12. Week 6, I’m taking classes to become more than just a lead or low level supervisor and being groomed for a high level position once the company moves to its new location (by Xmas).
I never doubted my capability or skill-but it is great to have such an immediate and loud “fuck you” to the losers with soft hands that were previously questioning my masculinity. (I don’t give a shit about gender roles, neither does the wife. Her family is “traditional”-so it’s nice to rub their previous words in their faces).
Fuck. Ask me in a few months. Right now I got nothin’
Lost 4 pants sized in 6 months. Starting lifting and put on about 5 pounds of muscle in the last 2 ish months. Dangerously close to a six pack and fully addicted to cooking for myself and exercise.
Now I don’t feel uncomfortable in dress clothes
I doubled my reading intake this year compared to the last few years! I’m not reading anything particularly dense or formative, but it feels like an accomplishment!
I find that I’m a lot more patient with my 2y daughter. It’s so great. Our connection has developed so much the past couple of months as well, I’m so proud of that.
I strive to live a life that would make my grandma proud of me and I think I’ve done that so far.
That despite almost ridiculous attempts to manipulate me by my toxic family, I resisted everything. I stayed true.
Everyday I don’t toaster bath myself is a W.
I’ve lost 100 lbs this year and counting. I cut my drinking from ~1 liter/day of hard liquor to one or two drinks every couple of weeks. I had a so-called girlfriend who recently said I never accomplished anything in the midst of an argument and I let her bullshit slide off instead of letting it bring me down.
Well, I ran Scarlett Monastery and got the Whitemane’s Chapeau. That was pretty sick
I recently got out of a toxic, dead-end job that I thought I’d be stuck in for the rest of my life. I’m starting at the bottom of the totem pole in my new line of work, but the potential to grow is immense.
Having a daughter that makes me feel the feeling of unconditional love. I’ve been selfish my entire life, indulging on my pleasures, using women rather than being with women, playing a lot of golf and drinking beers with the boys. I rarely felt anything real and the only feelings I had was dopamine, boredom, and a dull natural state.
After having a kid I felt feelings I’ve never felt before. The willingness to die for someone. The willingness to make sacrifices for someone else. It truly changed my life and I feel like I’m actually living for someone else and not just myself. I feel anxiety, stress, and the weight of responsibility that I never felt before. Having kids is awesome. I’m a single dad and I’m financially responsible for taking care of her. It makes you maximize your potential in way that would be hard to do if I had no one to take care of
I just lost twelve pounds. I escalated to biweekly yoga, at least 3x a week morning weights, and a vegetarian lunch service. It’s really got me feeling better all around, and optimistic about my health.
More importantly, I’ve been getting a lot better at throwing porcelain on the wheel.
Quitting energy drinks after finding out I have a mild leaky heart valve. My doctor said everyone eventually experiences it but scared me enough to drop them completely. I’d drink 1 energy drink everyday + a coffee when I’d be omw to work and sometimes another energy drink when I got out. I’ve been drinking them since my early 20s to stay awake in class and ever since just never stopped. But this year I’ve been going a little overboard. I’ve been really wanting to quit for a while now and haven’t had one for almost a whole month. I have had a coffee like once or twice since then but it’s no where near as before so I’m proud of myself.
I’ve managed to keep the dishes done every single day for two weeks.
How kind and intelligent my children are, how good I am getting at forging quite complex knives, how great my work life balance is, the many decisions I made in the past that put where I am today, and how awesome my relationship is with my wife who I have been with for 24 years.
I’m a new dad (9 month old) and husband (2 years), I work full time, and I’m taking online classes at night once the baby goes to sleep. I’m proud of myself for managing my time and energy well enough to squeeze all of that in.
Looking like an adult and people think I know what I’m doing.
In all actuality, I’m just a fraud like everyone else with no clue what I’m doing.
I went back to college and finished the 2 year course
936 days alcohol free
Had a health scare with my liver , decided to start treating myself better , stopped drinking a 5th of whisky a day and eat cleaner. since February ive lost 100 lbs quit hard liquor for good and all alcohol for about 3 months. Now i may have a couple of beers every other week, and to top it off, I got a double promotion at work.
I started a business in 2015, and still do it to this day. 10 years, no boss, make my own hours, and make more money every year since I started. I also quit drinking in January and haven’t had a sip since.
I took out the garbage yesterday.
It will be 2 years on October 9th since I’ve drank any booze. I’m proud of my sobriety and prioritizing my health.
Four weeks sober.
No support or close family.
Just me and my demons going bare back on dealing with it head on.
Quietly proud.
I let my 5 year old paint my toenails. Orange and blue on the right, purple and red on the left. She was so excited and did a really good job and I’m pretty sure my heart melted a bit because she was so proud of herself.
Getting thanked by a customer I helped. Fixed his windshield and got appreciated.
Got thousands of views on a video.
I lost 50 lbs
Being alive
Just realized today I hit a million in investment accounts. My goal is 2.5mil so I can retire at 50.
It isn’t about the money but more so a huge milestone in the bigger goal of giving the middle finger to corporate America one day.
Me and the wife started investing 10 years ago and it felt like we would never get to this goal.
Grateful despite the current financial odds that I was able to buy a home. I’m glad to be in therapy learning more about myself.
my 16 months daughter put toys and stuffs over my head, kicks the ball like soccer, hugs me when she hears thunder, smiles whenver she looks at me, and cries when I go to work.
she melts my heart, and she is my biggest day-to-day happiness these days.
Clarity.
I feel my outlook on life is much better than in my 20s.
I’ve become a millionaire.
I grew up poor, after my parents divorced my father was homeless, Mom relied on dating men to help support the family but ultimately had to sell the house.
My parents made A LOT of bad money decisions that I realized as I grew up so I promised myself I wouldn’t end up like them though it’s always a fear of mine. I dedicated a lot of time learning about finances and worked hard to keep jobs that paid well. At 32 years old I’ve made it a long way to feel secure with money but I live in a HCOL city so I’ll keep going. This feels like a huge milestone to me.
Surviving cancer, chemo, liver failure, and diabetic problems that led to five ER visits in luding three air medevacs.
Being told several times this year that I had days or weeks to live
Still here, motherfuckers.