The Power of Small Wins in Recovery
By: Tasha Truchel
Recovery isn’t always about big milestones or dramatic breakthroughs. Most days, it’s about showing up for yourself—even in small, sometimes ridiculous ways. Maybe it’s making your bed when you really don’t feel like it, journaling instead of doom-scrolling, or taking a walk just to stop your brain from sprinting marathons in the wrong direction.
I’ll be honest: I still catch myself being my own worst critic from time to time. That’s when I have to pause, take a deep breath, and remember that these tiny, everyday wins matter. They don’t always feel impressive, but over time, they stack up into something extraordinary. Whether it’s challenging a negative thought, stepping away from a stressful interaction, or simply accepting life as it is—every small victory counts. And yes, sometimes my brain tries to turn these little wins into full-blown Netflix dramas, but hey… I let it happen and move on anyway.
Making My Bed
I started making my bed daily a few months ago. Seems small, seems silly, but it sets the tone for my whole day. It’s basically me asking myself: How do I want to show up today, even if I don’t feel like it?
Full disclosure—I skipped making it this morning for the first time in months. Immediately felt like a POS about it. Tomorrow, I’ll be back at it, fluffing my pillows like a functional adult.
Answering the Phone (Or Not)
I’ve started putting my phone on “Do Not Disturb” Sundays to avoid getting sucked into endless scrolling that steals my time and energy. Last weekend, I picked up a book instead—and it was amazing.
Learning to set boundaries around my phone and personal time has been a small but major win. Less can absolutely be more when it comes to protecting your peace.
Being Active
When my brain starts sprinting marathons in the wrong direction, walking helps. Moving my body gets me out of my head. A few steps, some fresh air, and suddenly the thoughts don’t feel quite as loud. It’s simple, but it works.
Saying “No” Without Explaining
This one’s hard. I used to feel guilty for saying no, so I’d tack on a three-paragraph explanation like I was submitting a college essay. Trauma response 101.
I still catch myself doing it, and my boyfriend sometimes has to remind me: “No is a full sentence.” Learning to say it and let it stand is uncomfortable—but freeing.
Journaling When I Don’t Want To
I never regret journaling, even when I resist it. I keep different notebooks—one for daily life, and one for morning intentions and evening reflections.
Morning journaling: gratitude, alignment, what I want to embody.
Evening journaling: where I felt connected, what I learned, what I need to release before sleep.
It’s not always profound, but it keeps me honest with myself.
Celebrating a Day
I used to think milestones had to be huge—six months, a year, etc. Now, I see the value in celebrating smaller stretches. Sometimes just getting through a hard Tuesday is worthy of acknowledgment. Progress isn’t always loud.
Faith in the Small Things
At the heart of it all, I’ve also learned that these small wins are evidence of God’s grace at work in my life. Recovery doesn’t demand perfection—it asks for faithfulness. Every time I make my bed, go for that walk, or choose peace over chaos, I’m reminded that God meets me in the small things. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” To me, that’s what recovery looks like—sowing little seeds of faith and trust each day, knowing that over time they grow into something far greater than I could imagine.
