Hi! Are you well? I am, thank you!

Did I tell you I went for pedicure and full manicure sometime this week?! I mean, how cool is that? I think it’s the coolest thing. Aye! Don’t burst my bubble please. It is something I have always wanted to do, but I keep thinking to myself, ‘Just get a manicure set Njoki and do these things without having to pay anyone!’ On this day, I got over my poverty attitude and got contacts from my beloved Marion, and went to the nail parlor, without thinking too much about it. It was a struggle; a battle in my heart, between my finances and my need to pamper myself. Nothing can compare to the joy I felt afterwards, plus I met the kindest person alive!

Talk about small wins!!

The concept of small wins was first coined by an American organizational theorist, Karl Edward Weick. A small win is a concrete, complete, implemented outcome of moderate importance. By itself, one small win may seem unimportant. According to him, once a small win has been accomplished, forces are set in motion for favor of another small win. When a solution is put in place, the next solvable problem often becomes more visible. Read the Italicized words again. The psychology of small wins is discussed with respect to cognitive limitations, stress and enactment of environments. The strategy of small wins incorporates sound psychology and pragmatic (dealing with things sensibly and realistically, based on practical rather than theoretical considerations) policy making. Enough said, I know!

I am writing this article on the night before graduation ceremony in our school; a big win for all graduands. There is of course no quantifier for wins. Our eyes should just be open to notice the things we do for ourselves; all our accomplishments!

I feel good when I attend all my classes in good time, for a week, without falling ill. My dad definitely feels good when he pays bills and school fees. My friend weighing 102 kilograms of awesomeness becomes ecstatic when she ditches fries and soda for two days, and snacks on fruits instead. A person suffering from epilepsy will thank the Lord when they don’t get seizures for three months. An asthmatic fellow not getting any attack in July? Small wins and big wins and everything in between.

Being an adult can be exhausting, and our problems may be many (I respect you Kenyans!). A lot is expected of us and we have goals set for ourselves. We are bound to feel overwhelmed.

Small wins can be useful in building good habits and getting rid of bad ones. Look for ways to build small wins in your life, in all ways! A person trying to become tidier makes a simple rule of folding their clothes before going to bed rather than leaving them on the floor. It take a few seconds, and probably a few more seconds to admire the neatness, then most likely, a few more minutes to clean the entire space as well, because, good vibes!

Trying to fight laziness? Write a to-do-list at night for the next day, and reward yourself for being a good, hardworking person, when you feel like you are! A reward isn’t necessarily a trip to Morocco. It could be getting your hair done, or your nails! Your nails!! Preparing your favorite meal isn’t a bad idea either. In fact, getting your friend to do it sounds better, or visiting your favorite restaurant. Get new vests and get that haircut you’ve always wanted.

It is enough that you’re living in the 21^st century. You don’t need the pressure you’ve been subjecting yourself to for too long now. Ask yourself, ‘What can I do now?’ Do not live in 2023; you might get ulcers or worse still, hypertension. Hi! It is okay to set goals. Do what you can do now, making steps towards realizing your long-term goals. We will have less stress that way, and live more healthily. I think we all want that.

Notice your small wins, get excited, establish habits which help you make small wins every day, live in the present moment and the general rule of thumb, thou shalt not forget to reward thyself.

You are amazing.

I hope you’re happy, and that you are spreading love and joy in the spaces you’re in.

Be well!

Sincerely from my heart to yours!