You’re Not Behind. You’re Just on Your Own Timeline.
By: Kadija Rauf, Student Network Representative from Toronto Metropolitan University
(Set Forward Thinking, n.d.)
As a new year begins, it can feel like there is pressure everywhere to be more, do more, and have everything figured out. I find myself feeling that way as well, setting big goals, big plans, and big expectations. While setting intentions can be motivating, it is easy to get caught up in goals so large that they quietly turn into disappointment when life does not unfold as we imagined.
The truth is, progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it seems like showing up on days when motivation is low or choosing rest when burnout is close. It looks like small steps that do not seem impressive in the moment, but matter over time.
It is important to remember that there is no universal timeline. Everyone is navigating different responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities. Comparing progress to someone else’s highlight reel can make it easy to overlook how much you are doing and the great things you have already accomplished.
Instead of setting goals that feel heavy or overwhelming, consider setting one simple goal this year: to be gentle, proud, and kind to yourself every day. This was the goal I set for myself last year, and truly, it has been life-changing. This can show up in small ways, including daily affirmations that help ground you when things feel uncertain.
This year does not have to be about reinventing everything. It can simply be about continuing, learning, and giving yourself grace along the way. Steady and quiet growth is still growth.
So if this year feels slower than expected, that is okay. If goals change, that is okay too. You are not behind. You are doing your best, on your own timeline. Be proud of yourself, always.
My favourite affirmations are these. I say them to myself and often even have them written on the first page of my planner as a reminder:
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I am doing the best I can with what I have right now.
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I am allowed to move at my own pace.
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Rest is productive and necessary.
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I am proud of how far I have come, even if I am still figuring things out.
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I trust myself to figure things out as I go.
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I am proud of myself for simply showing up today.
If this resonates with you, let it be a reminder you come back to throughout the year, just as I do. On days when things feel heavy or slow, these words are often enough for me. You are allowed to take up space, move at your own pace, and trust that where you are right now is exactly where you need to be.
References
Set Forward Thinking. (n.d.). Positive affirmations [Image]. Pinterest. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/29/33/0c/29330c31025df22bf8a00eaa8d7ed53c.jpg