Celebrating Milestones

How Honoring Progress Fuels the Dreamer’s Journey

Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash

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Two days before the 2024 election results, I sat at my desk reading the last of thirteen critiques for the eighth draft of my novel. After four years of writing and revising, I hoped the beta readers found my story entertaining, uplifting, and—finally—finished.

But after the devastating election results, dream-chasing felt quaint—like democracy and our fragile climate. None of my hard work mattered because it seemed the nation’s priorities had shifted from pursuing happiness to fighting for basic rights.

I wanted to quit writing. I craved the comfort of distractions: pie, a Ted Lasso binge (again), and sleep.

Chocolate pecan pie from How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies. Photo credit: Daniel Lane

Six years ago, when I transitioned from nonfiction to fiction, I struggled to find my voice. Each week, I wrote short stories in different genres, hoping one would resonate. Every Friday, I submitted my pages to a writing group, expecting recognition of my storytelling genius. But on Sunday afternoon, their feedback highlighted flaws I didn’t know how to fix while testing my willingness to listen and adapt.

Three years later, I typed The End on my first novel. Hiring a developmental editor for three rounds of critique pushed my limits further—revealing weaknesses in my story and deepening my self-doubt. I revised anyway. Over time, the grueling process strengthened my skills and resilience.

To manage my panic over the election results, I became deeply engrossed in sorting through 4,550 pages of feedback. The rhythm of marking typos with a red pen, compiling readers’ comments, and tackling weaknesses filled me with a surprising sense of purpose and clarity. I realized that feedback is a gift, not a judgment, and that growth comes when we lean into discomfort.

Reaching this point was a milestone worth celebrating.

According to Merriam-Webster, a milestone is “a significant point in development.” Celebrating such moments motivates us to persist, especially when the road feels endless. During this season of reflection and gratitude, honoring both big and small achievements becomes an act of self-compassion that prevents burnout, builds resilience, and nurtures joy.

In The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, Katherine Morgan Schafler writes, “When you lead a self-defined life, you have to be the one to put a stake in the ground and say: ‘This is important. This is a big deal!’ If you don’t add noise and visibility through celebration, the process goes by unnoticed—not just by others, but also by you.”

Acknowledging milestones isn’t indulgent. It’s an act of kindness toward yourself that reminds you your work—and your dreams—matter.

Our yurt at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Hubby and I celebrate my career milestones: finishing a first draft with a fancy downtown weekend. Implementing the editor’s first round of feedback concluded with a road trip to hear my favorite jam band, Goose. I finished the second round of feedback just before our twenty-fifth anniversary, and we took a road trip to Santa Fe. Applying the editor’s third and final round of feedback ended with a yurt stay at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

But after the election, celebrating felt trivial. Did my story matter amidst climate change and political chaos? Even if I secured an agent and a publisher, would anyone read my work in a world so uncertain?

When I looked at the pile of beta reader feedback I’d worked through, I realized this milestone—a deeper capacity to receive feedback and the skill to execute it—didn’t mark the end of the process. Not the publication dream. But that I had cultivated the ability to face critique with curiosity, revise with purpose, and trust in my growth as a writer. The milestone marked a transformation that will carry me forward, through rejections, revisions, and everything else this creative life brings.

Growth happens in the messy middle, and every step forward is worth celebrating. I honored my achievement in three meaningful ways.

First, I placed a gold star on my calendar on the day I finished. That small, inexpensive gesture lit me up and inspired me to fill my planner with more stars. Research shows that celebrating progress releases dopamine, strengthening motivation to continue.

Second, I shared my milestone with two writing groups. Their cheers and thoughtful messages reminded me I’m not alone, and showed that sharing wins in safe spaces, like this one, cultivates connections that lift us up when we succeed, while promoting resolve.

Third, I gifted myself with deliberate rest. For four days, I recharged with activities that brought joy: a self-guided yin yoga session; enrolling Goose in puppy preschool (and delighting in her progress); and baking a chocolate pecan pie from How to Write a Novel in 20 Pies. This downtime allowed me to appreciate life beyond writing while recognizing how far I’ve come.

Goose, in the pink halter, holds her own against bigger puppies.

If I hadn’t celebrated, the noise of self-doubt might have drowned out these reflections. Instead, I emerged with renewed clarity and conviction that my dreams are more vital than ever.

Research underscores the power of celebrating milestones. Shawn Achor, in his TED Talk The Happy Secret to Better Work, explains that recognizing achievements rewires the brain for positivity, fueling creativity, energy, and resilience. Leah Marone, in her article Resilience: The Power to Overcome, Adjust, and Persevere, highlights how reflection and acknowledgment are critical to enduring challenges.

Celebrating milestones is not just an act of joy—it’s an investment in your future. It’s a statement that your dreams matter, even in difficult times.

As we navigate the uncertainties of our world, let us commit to nurturing our light and purpose. Recognize your personal or professional progress, no matter how small. Share your wins with people who uplift you. Celebrate your milestones—not as an indulgence, but as a declaration that you are here, you are striving, and your work matters.

Take a moment today to reflect on your own milestones. What progress have you made this year? Write it down. Mark it with a gold star. Share it with a trusted friend or leave it in the comments. And celebrate—whether with a favorite treat, a quiet walk, or a joyful dance. Let each celebration fuel your journey forward, because your dreams deserve to shine.