[Story] Kanaan dura hojiilee hojjechuu irratti xiyyeeffachuu osoo hin taane, galmee hojiilee xumurame jalqabi - Bismillah

Assalamu alaikum - Recently, I noticed a habit that's kinda killing my motivation. Every time I finish something, I just tell myself it was nothing. I downplay all my efforts, and over time, I started to really believe that I’m not changing or improving at all. A few months back, I went on a spontaneous 25-kilometer hike. We walked for eight hours straight. A friend of mine was super proud afterward and felt grateful to Allah for the strength. But me? I thought that because I didn’t collapse, it wasn’t impressive. That same reaction came up in other moments too, and I eventually woke up to the fact that this wasn’t humility - it was self-sabotage. If I only recognize effort when I’m suffering, then I’ll never feel proud. If I only count growth when it’s dramatic, I’m going to miss all those quiet improvements. If I only see something as an achievement when it’s extraordinary, I’ll always feel like I haven’t done anything useful with my life. That way of thinking made me scared to try new things. I looked at every challenge and thought it’d be too hard for someone like me. I became the first person to tell myself I couldn’t do it. So, I decided to keep a to-done list - just a simple record of the times I actually did something worthwhile, even if it didn’t feel massive at the time. I watched some repair tutorials and picked up some basic appliance fixing skills. I fixed the air conditioner and the washing machine. I bought sealant and patched up the loose glass strip on a door. I fixed the skirting board that had been falling off forever. I started to put things back where they belong, and my home felt way more orderly and clean. I tried out a free local community event and actually ended up getting a small desk lamp. I lost more than ten kilograms over the past year, with dua and steady effort. I cycled thirty kilometers in one go. I completed that 25-kilometer hike and really felt my endurance improve. Writing these down changed how I felt. It showed me that I do grow, even if it’s quiet. It reminded me that I should be the first to celebrate my own progress and be grateful to Allah for the ability. I’ll keep adding to my to-done list. I don’t want to erase my effort anymore. If you can relate, consider this a gentle reminder: your progress matters, even if you don’t always give yourself credit. Alhamdulillah for every small step.