Sometimes we're in a loop of misery, but we only need a small victory to see clarity and get on road again.
Recently, I received some frustrating news at work—I wasn’t assigned to a new project. For context, I work at a software consultancy, and during the summer months, I was assigned to a project. Once it ended, I hoped to be placed on something new. However, I was told that there wasn’t a project for me to work on.
Now, being paid without having to do any work might sound like a dream, but after just three days, I quickly became bored. I tried pushing for a new project, but in the meantime, I started procrastinating—playing video games, skipping my routines, eating junk food, and generally neglecting my well-being. This spiraled into a two-week slump where I avoided thinking about my situation and evaded all responsibilities.
Sometimes, we get trapped in a cycle of misery without even realizing it.
Then came Sunday—a day I typically reserve for reflection. For me, Sundays are about journaling and checking in on my goals. That particular Sunday, I realized just how badly I’d let things slip. I was in the worst mental and physical state I’d been in all year. I started feeling hopeless, like I couldn’t break free from the rut.
But then I remembered something: I just needed a small victory to break out of the loop.
This is something I’ve learned from reading self-improvement books and through lots of self-reflection. One book that really helped me was “Your Head is a Houseboat”. It includes journaling exercises that encourage you to understand yourself better and stay present. After consistently journaling both in good times and bad, I discovered that I thrive on small victories.
So, I grabbed a notebook and wrote down everything I wanted to do. After two weeks of doing nothing, the list was long: cleaning, exercising, writing, reading… But I knew from experience that exercising was the key for me. It’s important to prioritize the one thing you know will help the most. This might be different for everyone, but if you’re unsure what works for you, it’s time to invest in getting to know yourself better.
I decided to exercise, knowing that it would pull me back to reality and give me the boost I needed. Afterward, I felt reinvigorated—strong enough to tackle everything else on my list. That small victory reminded me that I’m capable and that things aren’t as difficult as they seem.
By focusing on small victories, you’re able to pull yourself out of a negative spiral, no matter how deep you feel stuck. It’s about building momentum, one step at a time. And sometimes, that first step is all you need to shift your perspective and regain control.
