A year ago I read this post about “20 things I am proud of” over at Daria’s blog. And ever since it’s been coming back to me. It is hard to name things I am proud of. I know maybe two or three from the top of my head but after that it starts to get complicated. And so I started this exercise – mainly for myself – and hope it will also make you think about it the way Daria made me think.
20 Things I am Proud of
- Spending a year in the U.S. with 17 years being in a Mormon family with 9 kids – very wonderful but also very educational and it made me learn to set boundaries.
- Getting not one but two degrees while working full time as an event manager. On a scholarship from the ministry of education, Tough years. So proud
- Standing up in tough situations and not keeping my mouth shut even though it was not the best career choice.
- Being in a relationship for 19,5 years and a marriage for almos t11 years. It’s tough at times and requires constant commitment.
- Having only around ten photos on this blog that aren’t mine besides guest post photos or photos from family members. When I started ten years ago that was a goal of mine. Proud I stuck with it as it is not always easy finding a perfect photo to tell the story.
- Speaking English so well. I know I will never be perfect but for being told languages aren’t my strong suit I am proud that I do about 50% of my work today in English.
- Staying with languages: Also proud that I was fearless in Mallorca last fall and just started talking Spanish even though I only know 1,000 words so far.
- Being able to accept that I have migraines and that I am not able to perform on a high level all the time even though I am not liking it.
- Never really running out of creative ideas. May it be craft ideas or content ideas in my job.
- The things I’ve already created. There are a lot of things I am proud of especially when it’s a genuine idea. Like this one that was stolen by a UK radio station or this one.
- Having never been in dept. I agree it is also privilege. But still, I never went into debt not even when paying for my second education (see 2) on my own. In Germany you don’t really pay for state university but I went to a private one.
- Being an aunt. I did not achieve this by myself obviously but I believe that I am a person to talk to for my niece and that I can listen and emphasize with her feelings. I see a lot of me and the struggles I had as a kid in her.
- Not eating any sugar for almost six month in 2022 and then again in November 2023. It’s surprisingly easy once you are into it. Currently doing a sugar free November again. I just miss cake but I don’t crave it.
- Making “Best Smile” Awards in my only year of attending American High School.
- Getting out of my comfort zone and actively integrating into new church congregation.
- Getting better in apologizing. This is very hard for me but I am trying to say it when I feel it. I always assume people know but sometimes it needs to be said.
- Prioritizing myself again and getting back in shape. Very slowly but I can see a change.
- Sending out letters in a time when people are living digital. When postage prices are rising. When no one has time to sit down and collect the thoughts. I do it. And it’s a form of appreciation for me.
- My negotiation skills when it comes to discussing my hourly rates. I wouldn’t say I am badass but I think I am doing pretty good. All these negotiations with clients and suppliers during my event management years have helped immensely.
- The way I am able to react in emergency situations. I am rather clear minded, straight forward and am able to handle the situation. However ones that is over I crash. I’ve had two major experiences and it was no fun but I did good, kept my cool and went into organizing mode and I hope I was giving some comfort back to the people in the situation.
Bonus proudness: As of now I have managed to read every post published in our NaBloPoMo community and have commented on 99% of them.
I came up with eight of these points rather quickly. After that the post was sitting a while (read about a year) until I checked off the entire 20 things.
Tell me: What are you proud of? Are you easily proud of yourself? Something that you worked really hard on that seems insignificant to others?
30 comments
This is a great list and an excellent way to recognize yourself. I think sometimes it is easy to dwell on the negatives about your own self and on the flip side, be okay with patting yourself on the back! Good job! I love that you are standing up for yourself in your job. I think women especially have a hard time asking for more money and/or feeling like they (we) deserve it, for whatever reason! I always say that if you don’t ask for it, you are not going to get it, and think that it is important to review your salary each year and to get a list together of why you are important to the company and to ask for a raise. Even if they say no, you are no worse off!
That’s a good point to look on an annual basis on what value you bring. Since I only work for my self I can only discuss it with myself but I may add a list of things where I improved my knowledge which then helps me arguing my price.
I agree it is tough for women to ask for things and I am pretty sure I have been paid less than a male colleague.
What a lovely post. Too often, especially as women, we’re encouraged to look at our failures or deficiencies. So I appreciate this call to celebrate what we’re good at – not out of ego, but out of appreciation for what we have achieved.
Mmmm. Most proud of? If it’s in the last year:
1. Planning two amazing family trips.
2. Going to therapy and starting on anti-anxiety meds.
3. Finally realizing the major issues in my life were not my problem to fix. Other people have done things that were categorically wrong and it’s not me. It’s them. Releasing feelings of guilt and shame and fear were so, so incredibly powerful (but hard, so I’m really proud of the effort I’ve made).
4. Strengthening my marriage.
5. Committing to a year of rest/stepping down from a prominent working role but one that drained me of life and energy.
Thea are wonderful things to be proud of Elisabeth. You should celebrate this. Gold stars and confetti to you.
You are so brave! I am impressed with your language skills – I would never know that English wasn’t your first language!
Thank you Engie. This means a lot.
I think everyone should take the time to sit down and write out a list of 10 or 20things they’re proud of, just to remind ourselves what we’ve achieved over our lifetimes. It’s more than we think, and sometimes, it’s courageous. Like working while studying. You have a great deal to be so very proud of. Bravo!
Thank you. It is definitely a good practice a) to realize think through what you have achieved b) to realize how many things there actually are.
I love this celebration of things you’re proud of! Your English skills are amazing. I guess I have a hard time feeling proud, but I do try to focus on good things about myself – and I try very hard not to knock myself down. It’s getting easier.
Today, I’m proud that I’m almost finished with my annual photo calendar. This is the first time I’m not scrambling to get it finished at the last minute.
That is a very good thing to be proud off. I encourage you to find your own 20 things to be proud of. It’s really hard but brings much clarity. I am not someone to go around and tell about the things i achieved and am proud so this was tough for me.
This is a great list! You really do have a lot to be proud of. i would add to this the fact that you’re not afraid to put strong opinions into your blog posts, and you express yourself well. Your English is definitely great!
Oh thank you Jenny. That is very nice of you to point out as I am often? never? aware of such things. I do try to not shy away from complicated and tough thoughts.
I think that is a fabulous list Tobia and you should definitely be proud. I don’t think I can think of 20 things. I have always had a problem with seeing my value and it’s hard for me to talk about things that I am good at or am proud of. I always feel like it’s bragging. But in truth it’s not. If you don’t recognize and acknowledge your value then others will have a hard time as well. It’s an interesting exercise and I truly wonder how well I would do.
Standing up for yourself is so important and standing up for the truth, no matter how difficult, is something you most certainly should be proud of. I think as women we sometimes accept the status quo so we can avoid confrontations or uncomfortable situations. Why is that do you suppose? Another topic for another time I guess.
“I always feel like it’s bragging.” this was what I thought of for so long. But even if not telling anyone about it the exercise itself is really eye opening. And sad at times because it took me way too long to come up with certain points. Definitely not an easy exercise but I encourage you to give it a try.
Well done Tobia, I agree it’s much easier to get down on ourselves than think of things we’re proud of. You have so much to be proud of. Being so fluent in English is amazing. I wish I had kept up French in school but I didn’t see the value in a second language back then. You are brave the way you tackle difficult things and go after what you want.
The thing I am most proud of is probably my kids, as in the way I parented them. Not perfect by any means, but I think I did enough right and now they are fantastic humans who I get along well with. It was also tough because a lot of the time it fell mostly to me because of G’s travel. Also my study.
I used to have French in school too for 4 years but it is pathetic. I feel I am actually better in Spanish by now.
You should definitely be proud of racing your kids. It is not easy to do so in this time and world we live in. And the glimpses I can gather from your blog they all seem very good and smart and interesting human beings. I had a talk with my mom… she also said she was proud of how she raised us. She may do things differently now at some points but at the time she was in the situation she did the best she could.
WOW, what a great list! So glad you added that you are GREAT at leaving comments! I sometimes find it hard to say something meaningful and interesting although I am reading all NaBloPoMo blog posts too. :-)
I agree sometimes it is hard to find something to day but I think a kind word, some encouragement goes a long way and sometimes a short quick note to let the person know you have seen the post.
Thank you Hanna.
17 years being in a Mormon family with 9 kids
That sounds like quite an experience! Growing up in my own family of 4 kids was hectic enough and helped me learn to set boundaries too, I can only imagine a household that size (although I saw a few families that large, friends of my parents or people at church or whatever).
So many great accomplishments to be proud of, and many that sound like they will be really useful to you in lots of life situations that could come up.
Thank you Steve. That year in Idaho was a roller coaster. It has been teaching me a lot the good and the tough luckily not really bad stuff.
Having two sisters probably helped. Not sure how a single child would have handled that.
Thank you for pointing out that many of these things will help in life situations… I didn’t really think that far but you are absolutely right.
Love that one of your goals has been to use your own photographs — this has been my goal as well and I love that each individual writer has their own compass regarding what they want their blog to be. 🩷 Thank you for sharing your list — go you!!!
I love how you put this. We do have a compass don’t we? Happy to hear we are alight with our photographs… not always easy.
That is a great list Tobia! Way to go!
I would have to think really hard to get to 20 but one thing I am proud of theses days that I finally signed up for a gym and take the time to go to the classes on a regular basis. It’s probably also something that seems easy to others but taking this time for myself it’s really something that is hard for me to do sometimes.
I feel you on the gym thing. It is really hard to prioritize oneself and not get sidetracked by all the things that should be done or are more interesting.
I encourage you to sit down to your own lists. Just for yourself to have it on paper.
Wow, thanks for the shoutout! I love all your things. I can so relate to getting better at apologizing, too. I was never taught to apologize (weird, I know) because as sign of weakness, I don’t know, but life is so much easier if you apologize if you wronged someone and move on with your life :))
Oh, that is it.
I really never learned to apologize either rather to defend and argue my point. Is this something unique to our time period or upbringing? Because I also see it as a weakness while my husband is really mad when I don’t apologize.
I love this list and this exercise of thinking of things that you’re proud of. We don’t do this as much as we should – we either think of the negatives in life or we feel like we’re bragging when we talk about our accomplishments. And it goes without saying that women find this sort of stuff MUCH harder than men!
You are an amazing commenter, Tobia! I love seeing your comments on my blog posts. <3
Thank you, Stephany I’m glad my comments bring you joy. I agree. It is so hard to be proud of the accomplishments because the negative is always on the forefront.
Way to go for keeping up with NaBloPoMo – no small feat. As you can see, I am trying to catch up! LOL
I really love that you sat down and thought about the things that you’re proud of. As others said already, as women we tend to always look for the things we need to accomplish, never the things that we already have accomplished and should celebrate. You definitely have a lot to be proud of!
Thank you, San. It was no small feat since I had to take a whole year to write it all down and come up with a whole list. It’s a really good exercise and I can only encourage everyone to give it a try too.