Celebrating Small Victories: Chronic Illness & Tiny Wins
Discover how celebrating small victories with chronic illness brings hope, joy, and resilience. Learn practical ways to honor tiny wins every day.
LIVING FULLY WITHIN LIMITS
Velvet Larrabee
8/26/20255 min read
When you’re first diagnosed with a chronic illness, it can feel like your whole world has been flipped upside down. Suddenly, the things you used to do without a second thought—running errands, going out with friends, even getting through a day of work—might feel heavier, harder, or even impossible. It’s normal to grieve what’s changed and to fear what might never be the same again.
But here’s the truth I wish someone had told me sooner: your life is not over. It’s different, yes. But different doesn’t mean less. It just means you’ll measure victories a little differently than you used to. And those small wins—those tiny triumphs—matter more than you might realize.
In this post, we’re going to talk about what it means to celebrate small victories with chronic illness, why it’s such a powerful mindset shift, and how to start noticing joy in even the smallest wins.
Why Small Victories Matter
Living with chronic illness often feels like a constant balancing act between what your body allows and what your heart still wants. Some days, just getting out of bed is a huge accomplishment. Other days, it might be cooking a meal, finishing a work project, or spending time with someone you love.
When you acknowledge these moments as victories—no matter how “small” they may seem—you remind yourself that your life still holds meaning, progress, and joy.
Here’s why it matters:
Small victories reinforce hope on hard days.
They create momentum—little steps add up over time.
They shift your focus from what you’ve lost to what you’re still capable of.
They help you feel proud of yourself instead of defeated by limits.
Redefining What “Success” Looks Like
Before illness, you may have measured success by big milestones: promotions, athletic achievements, long to-do lists checked off in a day. Now, that definition needs a reset.
Redefining success doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means aligning them with your current reality and your values. That’s actually a courageous and powerful thing.
For example:
Old version of success: Cleaning the entire house in one day.
New version of success: Folding one load of laundry and resting without guilt.
Old version: Going out every weekend.
New version: Saying yes to one outing that truly brings joy and skipping the rest without shame.
It may not feel natural at first, but over time you’ll start to notice that these small victories are just as worthy of celebration as any big achievement.
Real-Life Examples of Tiny Wins That Deserve Celebration
You might be wondering what counts as a “small victory.” Honestly? Anything that feels like progress to you. Here are some examples that many people with chronic illness celebrate:
✨ Taking a shower and getting dressed, even if you don’t leave the house.
✨ Saying “no” to something that would drain you.
✨ Making it through a flare-up with compassion instead of self-criticism.
✨ Writing in a journal for five minutes.
✨ Walking to the mailbox or around the block.
✨ Cooking a simple meal instead of ordering takeout.
✨ Laughing with a friend when you thought the day was lost.
✨ Scheduling (or finally attending) that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.
✨ Remembering to take your medication on time all week.
These aren’t “just little things.” They are victories because they mean you showed up for yourself despite the challenges.
How to Notice and Celebrate Your Wins
It’s easy to overlook small victories when your brain is wired to focus on what you didn’t get done. But shifting your attention takes practice. Here are some gentle ways to start:
1. Keep a Victory Journal
Every evening, jot down one or two small wins from your day. Even if it’s as simple as “I brushed my teeth” or “I texted a friend,” write it down. Over time, you’ll have a record of proof that you are still moving forward.
2. Share Your Wins
Tell a trusted friend or online support group about your small victories. Hearing “I’m proud of you” can reinforce your own sense of accomplishment.
3. Reward Yourself in Gentle Ways
Celebrating doesn’t have to mean something big or exhausting. It could be making a favorite cup of tea, watching a comfort show, or listening to music that makes you smile.
4. Speak Kindly to Yourself
When you notice a win, say it out loud: “That was a good job. I’m proud of me.” It may feel silly, but your brain believes the words you repeat.
5. Take Pictures or Notes
Sometimes it’s hard to see progress in the moment. Snap a picture of a meal you made, a page you journaled, or a walk you took. Looking back can remind you how far you’ve come.
The Emotional Side: Why It’s Hard to Celebrate
Let’s be real: it’s not always easy to celebrate small victories. You might feel:
Guilt for not being able to do more.
Frustration that something so simple feels like a big deal now.
Grief for the old version of yourself who did things effortlessly.
These feelings are valid. They don’t cancel out your wins—they just mean you’re human. It’s okay to feel both pride and sadness at the same time. With practice, the pride grows stronger, and the grief softens.
Balancing Small Victories with Self-Compassion
Celebrating wins doesn’t mean pushing yourself too hard to “achieve” more. The key is balance. Some days your victory might be choosing rest. Other days, it might be taking on a little challenge. Both are worthy of honor.
Self-compassion is the bridge that lets you celebrate without slipping into pressure or comparison. Remember:
Your pace is your pace.
Your victories don’t need to look like anyone else’s.
Resting is as much a victory as doing.
Tiny Joys Are Victories Too
Celebration doesn’t always have to come from accomplishments—it can also come from moments of joy. Chronic illness can make life feel heavy, but small sparks of joy are powerful coping tools.
Some examples:
🌸 Watching the sunset from your window.
📚 Reading a few pages of a book.
🐾 Cuddling with a pet.
☕ Savoring your morning coffee or tea.
🎶 Listening to a favorite song that lifts your mood.
These tiny joys are victories because they remind you that beauty, comfort, and meaning still exist in your life.
Final Thoughts: Your Wins Are Worth Celebrating
Living with a chronic illness changes how you measure progress, but it doesn’t erase the possibility of joy or growth. Celebrating small victories isn’t about pretending everything is fine—it’s about recognizing that even within limits, your life holds moments of meaning, strength, and love.
Every spoon saved, every choice honored, every moment of joy noticed—that’s a victory. And you deserve to celebrate them.
So tonight, before you go to bed, ask yourself: What was one small victory today? Write it down, smile at it, and let it remind you—you’re still moving forward, and that matters.
📓Celebrating small wins is part of thriving. For more on building a life that feels meaningful, see my complete guide