Over the past two months I attended two small gatherings of women in business. At both events the opening question was the same: “What is something you’ve done lately that you’re proud of?” It seems straightforward, but it made me stop and think. When was the last time you paused to acknowledge yourself and say, “That was pretty awesome”?
For me, if you’d asked back in 2017 the answer would have been almost never. As women, we often downplay our wins—maybe it feels boastful, or more likely we’re juggling so many responsibilities we move on to the next thing without a moment of reflection. Being in those rooms, hearing other women celebrate small and big victories, made me realize that practicing self-recognition needs to become a habit. Since then I joined a group of business owners who intentionally share recent accomplishments to help each other through challenges. Those exchanges have been empowering and have helped me practice owning my achievements.
I’m partnering with Modcloth for this post. They focus on inclusivity, body positivity, and celebrating styles for every body—offering sizes from XXS to 4XL. I’m wearing a pair of their new spring high-waisted pants in these photos; they’re genuinely comfortable and have quickly become a favorite. With International Women’s Month recently behind us, I wanted to pass along the momentum of these empowering moments and ask you the same question I was asked: what have you done lately that you’re proud of? I’ll go first, and I hope you’ll share in the comments.
On a personal level, I’m proud that I pushed through the anxiety that comes with big, intimate conversations—phone calls with people I’d never met and navigating the relationship with Arlo’s birth mother during the adoption process. Talking on the phone has always been a major source of anxiety for me, but I embraced the process and, one year later, feel deeply grateful for the relationship we built. I’ve also used my platform to share the love and joy of adoption, and hearing that others have been inspired to consider adoption because of our story is incredibly meaningful. As Jeff once said, “We may dislike the label ‘influencer,’ but if we can influence people to open their hearts to adoption, that’s something I’ll wear proudly.”
On the business side, I’m proud of the space I’ve built that encourages women to be themselves. One of the most rewarding indicators of that is the messages I receive from readers who say I inspired them to wear more color and pattern. When I started this journey I didn’t expect wardrobe choices to feel like such a meaningful expression of confidence, but those notes are among the greatest gifts I get. Clothes might seem superficial at first glance, but they can add a tangible layer of confidence and joy to everyday life. Modcloth’s mission to inspire personal style and help people feel like the best version of themselves aligns perfectly with this belief.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Now I want to hear from you. Share something personal, professional, or both—anything you’ve accomplished recently, a challenge you’ve overcome, or even a small moment that made you proud. After you post, read back what you wrote and allow yourself a moment of recognition. Women do a lot of remarkable things and we need to celebrate ourselves more often. Consider this a big high five from me—and if you can, give a high five to another commenter below. You go, girl!
Thank you to Modcloth for partnering on this post and for encouraging me to celebrate and empower others. All content and opinions here are my own—thank you for supporting the brands that help keep this space going.