December 2025
‘Tis the season to celebrate the little things
Micro joys aren’t insignificant. Not by a long shot.
We all have those big, lofty goals:
Land the dream client.
Finally launch that new offer.
Hit a huge revenue milestone.
Tame the terrifying inbox that haunts you in your sleep.
Those things matter and it’s incredibly important to have “stretch goals” and big milestones to reach for.
But happiness doesn’t magically show up once your wildest goals are achieved.
It doesn’t only come from a smooth new launch or a dramatic transformation. More often than not, happiness arrives quietly, in small moments that could easily be overlooked.
And those micro joys aren’t insignificant. Not by a long shot.
In fact, it’s the smallest joys that usually add up to our biggest wins. And what better time than the holiday season, when we’re already naturally reflecting, planning, and wrapping up the year, to step back and celebrate the little things?
Happiness doesn’t magically show up once your wildest goals are achieved.
Dopamine: Your personal confetti cannon
When you achieve something – literally anything that feels meaningful – your brain rewards you with a hit of dopamine.
Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter responsible for communicating motivation and pleasure to your central nervous system.
So, really, you could even think of it as an instant mini celebration, a little internal “you did it!” party.
And the cool thing is that because a burst of dopamine can increase motivation, improve focus, and lower mental resistance to the next task, even tiny accomplishments can make the rest of your to-do list feel lighter and more doable.
All of a sudden celebrating the little things isn’t silly, it’s a scientifically proven way to get more done. (And entrepreneurs can always use more of that energy, right?!)
Counting your small joys
So what actually counts as a “small joy?”
It’s truly anything that moves the needle, even the littlest bit.
Anything that restores energy or creates momentum. Things that make you feel proud, relieved, grounded, or clear (even for a very brief amount of time) count as a small joy.
For example:
- Hitting “send” on that nerve-wracking email
- Tackling a task you’ve procrastinated on for days
- Clearing your workspace without creating a bigger mess
- Taking a break without feeling guilty
- Setting a boundary that protects your peace
Those ALL count.
But, honestly, when was the last time you stopped to appreciate any of those things?
If you’re anything like me, you might even see those things as expectations or just something you’re “supposed” to push through without pause.
A small joy can be any moment that reminds you you’re capable, making progress, and doing your best.
And when you put it that way, it feels silly not to celebrate them, doesn’t it?
A burst of dopamine can increase motivation, improve focus, and lower mental resistance to the next task, even tiny accomplishments can make the rest of your to-do list feel lighter and more doable.
Celebrate your little things
There’s magic in acknowledging your progress “out loud.” You could tell someone else or simply write it down.
I keep a notebook specifically for my “wins.”
Once a week, I review my calendar, conversations, and projects, and add anything that feels meaningful. My rule is that nothing is too small. If it felt memorable to me, it belongs in the notebook.
I just went through my notebook and picked out a few of my fav small joys from this year:
→ A client replied to a first brand identity proof with: “You have an amazing gift!”
→ My design team completed a large packaging project without issue while I was on a 2-week vacation in Kenya.
→ I trusted my gut and referred a potential client to another designer because I knew they’d be a better fit elsewhere.
→ I took several days off in the middle of the week last month and still made a living.
→ I had a discovery call that felt natural and left me feeling knowledgeable and confident.
These moments are fuel. Evidence. Proof that the work we’re doing – big and little – matters.
Make the big tasks more doable with little strategies
Big goals are less intimidating when you chop them into small, doable steps.
It’s not “rebuild my website” → but “write homepage intro copy.”
It’s not “grow my audience” → but “share one helpful post this week.”
Every tiny step deserves recognition and I try to remember that “practice makes perfect” is a toxic mindset…
Progress is the real marker of success.
Micro wins are often the exact opposite of perfectionism. They say that effort matters, showing up counts, and “done is beautiful.”
And on those days when nothing seems to be working, flip back through your wins. Let past evidence remind you that you’re capable and you’ve done hard things before.
You can do this hard thing, too.
Momentum isn’t always loud…but it’s always there.
Micro wins are often the exact opposite of perfectionism. They say that effort matters, showing up counts, and “done is beautiful.”
Keep the joy flowing
As the year wraps up, I hope you don’t just tally revenue or project stats. Instead, maybe you tally the moments that made you proud, brave, stretched, or fulfilled.
These small joys are the foundation that big wins are built on.
So as December unfolds, give yourself this challenge:
Notice the small joys.
Celebrate the little things
Let every moment of progress mean something.
Because the secret to big success isn’t waiting for the giant leap, it’s honoring every tiny step that gets you there.
Cheers to you and your small joys!