Several years ago, my mom bought me a book called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and it’s all small stuff and I took the words to heart. As a natural worrier, sweating the small stuff is my modus operandi. With lots of practice, a great counsellor, and a very intentional approach, I’ve learned to go with the flow and sail over bumps a little better but there’s one thing I’ll never stop doing: I celebrate the small stuff.

Little victories are heinously underrated if you ask me. Little victories are anything from flossing your teeth before bed to making all the phone calls you need to make on a Monday morning. Little victories are the first night your toddler doesn’t wake you up or when you successfully get in and out of Costco in under 30 minutes having spent less than your budget. It’s finding a great parking spot, getting the expensive cheese at 50% off, or hitting every green light on your drive to work.

Sure, they might seem insignificant and yeah, OK, in a lot of ways they are. But d’ya know what? It’s easy to skip the joy in little things when you’re drowning in the big picture stuff. And it’s equally easy to be bummed by the little things that go wrong, and that’s what makes it so important to shout hooray whenever you can.

Plus, who decides what’s “too little” when it comes to celebration?

I think Marc sometimes feels like I’m a total whackadoo for cheering about the little things but, for the most part, I think it’s part of why we have so much fun as a family. Great poop? High five (after you’ve washed your hands, of course)! Great workout? Woohoo! MADE IT TO THE GYM AT ALL? You go! Got all the laundry folded? YASSSSS.

They may not be the most exciting things but it makes your day *so much* better when you’ve made it feel special for yourself. So, pat yourself on the back for unloading the dishwasher. Praise your kid for being ready for school on time – or early (if that exists in other households). Pump your fist for adding an extra five minutes on the dog walk.

Celebrate the things that go unnoticed. You’ll be happier, I promise.