Week 4 – How I Measure Progress Beyond Perfection

January 2025: Reflecting on the Journey – How I Measure Progress Beyond Perfection

For a long time, I thought progress had to look like a perfectly checked-off to-do list, pristine accomplishments, or flawless execution. Somewhere along the way, I equated success with perfection—and let me tell you, that’s a fast-track to burnout and feeling like you’re never enough. Over time, and with a lot of reflection (and a few flops), I’ve come to redefine what growth looks like for me. Spoiler alert: It’s not about being perfect anymore.

On my blog, Journey On Strong, I share snippets of my personal growth journey, and today I’m peeling back the curtain on how I measure progress in a way that doesn’t rely on achieving perfection. Here are a few ways I’ve come to see growth as a beautifully messy and deeply personal process:

1. Small Wins Are Still Wins

Some days, progress is as simple as getting out of bed when the weight of the world feels extra heavy. Other days, it’s standing up for myself in a way that would have felt impossible a few years ago. Growth doesn’t have to be groundbreaking; it can be as small as a single step forward. I celebrate the tiny victories now, knowing they’re the building blocks of something bigger.

2. Learning from Setbacks

I’ll admit—this one took some time to embrace. For most of my life, failure felt like a neon sign screaming, “You’re not good enough!” But through my recovery from codependency and people-pleasing, I’ve learned that setbacks often carry the most valuable lessons. Did I make a mistake? Sure. But did I grow from it? Absolutely. Progress isn’t about avoiding failure; it’s about what you do next.

3. Checking in with My Why

Perfection is often rooted in external validation—what others think, say, or expect. My measure of progress shifted dramatically when I started asking myself, Why am I doing this? If my actions align with my values and goals, that’s a win. Growth looks like staying true to myself, even if it means saying “no” more often or disappointing someone else.

4. Progress Isn’t Linear

I’ve stopped expecting growth to look like a straight, upward trajectory. Some seasons feel like leaps ahead, while others feel like I’m trudging through mud. And you know what? That’s okay. There’s value in the detours, plateaus, and even the backslides. They’re all part of the journey, and they’ve taught me to be more patient with myself.

5. Feeling My Feelings

For a recovering people-pleaser like me, suppressing emotions was a way of life. Now, I consider it progress when I allow myself to actually feel—even the messy, uncomfortable stuff. It’s not always easy, but it’s freeing. Feeling my feelings instead of numbing or ignoring them is a sign that I’m growing stronger and more self-aware.

6. Living Authentically

At the end of the day, growth looks like showing up as my truest self, flaws and all. It’s not about pleasing everyone or getting everything right. It’s about living in alignment with who I am and who I want to be—even if that means I’m a little messy, a little imperfect, but 100% me.

So, if you’re someone who’s felt stuck in the pursuit of perfection, I hope this post encourages you to redefine progress on your own terms. Growth isn’t a race or a destination; it’s a journey. And if you ever need a reminder that it’s okay to grow at your own pace, stop by Journey On Strong. We’re all learning and evolving, one imperfect step at a time.

Join me on this blogging challenge. Visit the page and download the PDF. I would love to read your story! 

• Week 4 – Blogging Challenge for Codependency Recovery:
  • My First Step Toward Self-Love: Write about one action you’ve taken to show love to yourself.
• Week 4 – Blogging Challenge for Advanced Codependency Recovery:
  • How I Measure Progress Beyond Perfection: Explore what growth looks like to you today.

#CodependencyChallenge2025