You may not be where you want to be yet, but you are no longer where you used to be

Most of the time, we look at ourselves and think, "Why am I still here?" We start to doubt if we're doing enough, if we're trying hard enough, if we're even going in the right direction.

We look at other people—our friends, classmates, strangers online and it feels like they're already living the life we've always wanted. While we? We're still here… waiting, struggling, and trying to keep going.

The comparison trap

We think about the dreams we still haven't reached. The goals that we wrote down years ago but haven't crossed out. The plans we had that got delayed because life didn't go the way we expected. And when all of those thoughts pile up, it's easy to feel like we're not good enough. Like we're falling behind. Like we're stuck.

But here's something we forget: You're not where you used to be. And that matters more than you think.

Think about it. A year ago, were you the same person you are today? Two years ago? Five years ago? No. You've grown. You've learned. You've survived things you thought would break you. You've made choices that shaped who you are now.

Growth happens in the struggle

Maybe you're not where you want to be yet. Maybe the finish line still feels far away. Maybe you're tired, frustrated, or even a little scared. But you're also not in the same place you started. And that's proof that you're moving, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Sometimes the journey itself is the blessing

Progress isn't always loud. It's not always obvious. Sometimes it looks like waking up and trying again after a bad day. Sometimes it looks like choosing hope when doubt feels easier. Sometimes it's just showing up, even when no one's watching.

So don't be too hard on yourself. Don't forget to look back once in a while—not to feel sad, but to remind yourself how far you've come. Because the road you've walked… it hasn't been easy. And yet you're still walking. Still choosing to hope. Still choosing to dream.

Celebrate how far you've come

You may not be where you want to be yet. But you are no longer where you used to be. And that? That's something worth celebrating.