Celebration

If you've read my blog for a while, you'll know that I love pickleball.

Lately though, I've found myself feeling a little discouraged. I haven't progressed as quickly as some of the people who started playing at the same time I did. I tend to make up for my lack of skill with enthusiasm, determination and a lot of running around the court.

Then I remind myself of something important.

I started playing pickleball at 59 after spending my adult life never playing a sport. Walking has always been my exercise of choice, so I'd never joined a team, learned a sport or competed in tournaments.

When I stop and look at the bigger picture, I've accomplished more than I give myself credit for. I've won medals in several tournaments. I've stayed consistent, getting out on the court three or four times most weeks. More importantly, I keep showing up.

No, I'm not the youngest, fastest or most skilled player. But I am committed. I enjoy the game, I continue to learn and I want to remember to celebrate every small improvement.

As I've been reflecting on this month's theme of celebration, I was reminded of a conversation I had about eight months after starting my business.

I was talking with a friend and listing everything I'd accomplished: professional photographs, a website, branding, networking meetings, potential clients and all the countless tasks that come with building a business from the ground up.

She stopped me. "Repeat that list," she said. So I did.

When I finished, she smiled and said, "Aderonke, you've done an incredible amount in such a short period of time. You need to celebrate that."

She was absolutely right.

I was so focused on what still needed to be done that I never paused to acknowledge everything I had already accomplished. That conversation gave me permission to celebrate my progress instead of constantly chasing the next milestone.

It's a lesson I still need today.

Even now, I can move from one project to the next, crossing items off my to-do list without taking a moment to appreciate what has been achieved. I'm learning that celebrating isn't about reaching the finish line. It's about recognizing the steps along the way.

Whether it's a better pickleball game, a successful workshop, a meaningful conversation or simply getting through a challenging week, every win deserves to be acknowledged.

I've also learned that success doesn't look the same for everyone. We each have our own starting point, our own challenges and our own journey. The only comparison that really matters is how far we've come.

This month, I'm choosing to celebrate the big moments and the quiet ones. The visible achievements and the personal victories that no one else may ever see.

How about you?

What are you celebrating right now?

I'd love to hear about it and celebrate with you.