“Maybe you don't notice your progress because you're always raising the bar”

Progress is not always loud or easy to spot, it often shows up in quiet ways. It might look like taking a deep breath before reacting, choosing rest instead of pushing through, or noticing thoughts and feelings that used to go ignored. But when the goal keeps changing, it can be hard to see how much has already improved.

Many people feel like they are never doing enough because as soon as one goal is reached, another quickly takes its place. What once felt like a big step forward becomes the new “normal,” and anything less can feel like falling behind. This way of thinking can come from wanting to do well or from past experiences where slowing down did not feel safe. But when the focus is always on what’s next, it becomes easy to miss the progress that is already happening.

It is okay to want more for yourself. Growth is important. But it also matters to pause and notice the changes that have already taken place. Healing and personal growth do not always happen in big ways. Often, the most meaningful changes are the small ones that slowly add up.

Here are a few signs of progress that people often overlook:

• Setting boundaries that used to feel difficult

• Speaking with more kindness to yourself

• Noticing patterns or habits that were once automatic

Some ways to reconnect with your progress include:

• Taking time to reflect on where you were six months or a year ago

• Writing down small moments or choices that felt different in a good way

• Allowing yourself to feel both proud and still wanting to grow

Growth is not always exciting or easy to see. It can look like meeting a hard moment with more care or allowing emotions to surface instead of pushing them away, because even quiet progress is still progress.

- Rammy Dhatt