Recognizing Progress: Why Small Wins in Healing Matter
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Healing doesn’t always feel like healing.
Sometimes, it feels like failing.
Like you’re stuck.
Like nothing is changing.
But here’s the truth: small wins count. And learning to notice your progress is part of healing itself.
Why Healing Doesn’t Feel Like Progress
Most people expect healing to feel like peace, calm, and confidence.
But healing often looks like:
Crying for the first time in years
Saying no and feeling guilty about it
Realizing you’re angry about something you used to ignore
Resting when you’re used to running
None of those things feels like a victory. But they are.
They’re signs that you’re shifting old survival patterns and learning to feel, protect, and care for yourself in healthier ways.
Why Small Wins Matter
Small wins are the quiet steps that keep you moving. Without them, you’d stay stuck.
Here’s why noticing small wins matters:
They show you that change is happening (even when it’s slow).
They help fight the voice of your inner critic.
They build your confidence over time.
They remind you that you’re not failing—you’re growing.
What Counts as Progress? (Real Examples)
Let’s make this real. Healing progress might look like:
You said “no” to something that drained you.
You apologized when you snapped, instead of ignoring it.
You asked for help, even if it felt awkward.
You noticed a toxic pattern sooner than last time.
You forgave yourself for messing up.
You chose rest without guilt.
These small wins are how big changes begin.
My Story: Why I Struggle to See Progress Too
If you’re like me, you miss your own progress because your inner critic is louder than your inner coach.
I grew up hearing that nothing I did was good enough. That voice stuck with me. Even now, years into healing, I have days where I focus on what I didn’t get done, how I messed up, or where I “failed” as a mom, friend, or business owner.
But when I look back? I see someone who fought hard to survive. Who kept moving forward, even when it hurt. Who chose healing over hiding. Who built something from brokenness.
And that’s worth celebrating.
So is your story.
How to Start Recognizing Your Healing Progress
Write Down Small Wins. Each day, write one thing you did that helped your healing, even if it felt uncomfortable.
Challenge Your Inner Critic. When you hear, “You’re not doing enough,” answer with, “I’m healing at my own pace.”
Celebrate Rest. Resting is not quitting. Resting is part of growth.
Ask Someone Safe. Sometimes friends or coaches see our growth before we do. Ask someone you trust: “Have you noticed me changing?”
Support on Your Journey
If you’re tired of feeling stuck, I can help you see your own progress. Through Next Step Coaching, we’ll set small, achievable goals together and track your healing wins—without judgment.
Let’s move forward one real step at a time.
[Book a Neighbor Talk Session – You deserve to feel proud of your progress.]
Healing & Journaling Tool: “Noticing My Progress”
Prompt:
Write a list of five small wins you’ve had this week. They can be as simple as resting, setting a boundary, or acknowledging and expressing your feelings.
At the end, write this sentence: “I’m proud of myself for showing up.”
(This will be saved to your journal doc.)
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
Progress isn’t perfect.
Recognizing progress is hard.
Healing isn’t obvious .
But every kind choice you make for yourself counts.
You are not stuck. You are moving forward .
And your small wins? They’re changing everything.
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