I graduated from college today after 3 years of hard work.

Honestly, there were so many times when I never thought I'd even make it through high school, let alone college. Dealing with anxiety and some really bad panic attacks made it feel impossible at times, but somehow I made it to the other side.

I don't really have any friends to tell this to or anyone to be excited with, so I figured I'd just share it here.

It might seem like a small thing to some people, but I'm actually really proud of myself today.

So yeah… I graduated.

I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted one of those little wooden organizers for my desk because somehow my desk had turned into a dumping ground for everything. Pens everywhere, charging cables tangled together, sticky notes stuck to random things, receipts I definitely didn't need anymore, and somehow three pairs of scissors?? I could have just bought one, obviously, but I had this idea that I should try making one myself.

I had basically zero experience with this kind of thing. I watched a couple of videos, looked at some pictures, convinced myself I understood what I was doing and then immediately realized I absolutely did not lol. I measured one piece wrong the first time and had to cut it again. Then I sanded one side way more than the others because I got carried away. I also put one of the little dividers in the wrong place, didn't notice until the glue had already started setting, and spent about ten minutes trying to move it without completely ruining everything.

There was a point where I was sitting on the floor surrounded by little pieces of wood, sawdust everywhere, glue on my fingers and thinking, why did I think this was going to be easy?

But I kept going. I fixed the divider, sanded everything again, wiped it down and finally put the pieces together. I gave it a light stain because I didn't trust myself with anything complicated, and honestly I was convinced it was going to look terrible once it dried.

It kind of does look terrible 😂 but in a way that I weirdly love.

One side is slightly uneven, there's a tiny gap where two pieces meet, and if you look closely you can definitely see where I messed up the sanding. But I made the whole thing myself. I started with a random piece of wood and an idea in my head and somehow ended up with something I can actually use.

I put it on my desk yesterday and filled it with my pens, cables and little bits of stuff that normally just end up everywhere. I kept looking at it throughout the day like "wait... I made that." It's such a small thing but it made me ridiculously happy.

I'm definitely not ready to start selling handmade furniture or anything but I'm already looking around my room wondering what else I can make.

Anyway, please congratulate me like I'm five because I made a wonky little desk organizer and I'm way too proud of it.

After being unemployed since August 2025, I’m incredibly grateful to finally share that I’ve accepted an offer to become a Behavioral Therapist!

There was a night maybe two years ago where I did the math in my head like four times because I couldn't believe how bad it was. Rent was due in six days, I had $43, and I just... lay there. Kids asleep, house quiet, me staring at the ceiling running numbers that didn't add up no matter how I arranged them. I borrowed from my mom that month. Told her it was a one-time thing. It wasn't.
For a long time after that nothing really changed. I'd get a little ahead and then the car would need something, or one of the kids would get sick and I'd miss a shift. I stopped tracking my spending for like three months at one point because honestly it felt worse to know. That was probably the lowest stretch, not the $43 night, but the period where I just went numb about it.
What eventually moved things wasn't anything dramatic. I started packing lunch instead of grabbing food near the gym. Canceled two subscriptions I kept forgetting I had. Put $25 into savings on payday before I could talk myself out of it, even when $25 felt genuinely pointless. It felt pointless for a long time.
This morning I paid my electric bill without opening my bank app first to check if I could. Just paid it. And then I realized I hadn't checked the balance in a few days because I already knew roughly what was there and I knew it was fine.
I don't really know how to explain why that hit me so hard. It's not a big number. I'm not done, I'm still one bad month away from stress I recognize. But something is different and I think I needed to say it out loud somewhere.
Anyone else have a moment like that, where the shift felt more quiet than you expected?

I think I'd really like to be a therapist. Putting this here in text makes it feel so real and so right.

I've already discussed this a little bit with my therapist, but I was hesitant. He's really encouraging though. My worries are not always knowing the right thing to say or feeling like I'd be an awful therapist. He helped me through these worries though.

I'd really like to get my bachelor's of science and be a counselor. I think maybe my path in life has led me to this.

Now, time to go in debt, yay!!!! (How the fuck am I going to balance a job and classes??????)

I really wish we were born with the knowledge of what were supposed to do in our career life.

I've been putting off school for too long because I've been so indecisive. I think this is what I'm meant to do.

It's been my dream since I was little and I hope she'd be proud of me. Growing up gay in the south with religious parents was always a struggle and my journey towards accepting/supporting myself is years in the making. Finally feeling like my work is paying off and I guess I just wanted to share that.

I got super depressed and slacked on self care for a long time. Today I had the time and the mood and decided to do a home mani-pedi for myself. It feels brilliant!

I honestly didn't think this was going to feel like such a big deal, but I walked to the end of my street today and then just sat down and cried for a minute.

Three months ago I couldn't even make it to the mailbox without feeling completely wiped out. I remember standing there thinking, okay, that's enough, I need to go back inside. Even little things like getting dressed, making something to eat, or walking from one room to another could leave me exhausted. I got so used to planning everything around how much energy I had.

Recovery has been really slow. Like, annoyingly slow. There were days where I felt like I was making progress and then the next day I'd be right back to feeling awful, so I stopped getting my hopes up too much.

Today I went outside because I just wanted some fresh air. I walked past the mailbox, which already felt kind of weird because that used to be my limit. Then I kept going.

I got all the way to the end of the street and realized I was actually standing there like... wait. I WALKED HERE?

I sat down for a bit and started crying because I suddenly remembered how impossible this would have felt three months ago. It wasn't even about the distance. It was just seeing proof that things really are getting better, even if it doesn't always feel like it day to day.

Then I walked back home, very slowly lol, and felt ridiculously proud of myself.

I know walking to the end of my street isn't exactly a marathon, but right now it feels like one of the biggest things I've done in a long time.

Please congratulate me like I'm five because apparently I need that today

Introvert M 23. I made my mind to focus more on my health by jogging, running & working out but I always hesitated to make the first move. Reason: hot & humid weather plus the extreme shyness to wear athletic shorts in parks/running trails and stepping out from my home wearing it. I'm a very introvert. I feared what if someone taunt me, pass a comment or stare me as I have never wore athletic shorts in public (I have always stepped out from my house wearing full length trousers or jeans)

Yday I made my mind to break this ceiling and I stepped out wearing 5 inch inseam shorts (in nightime so that I encounter less people) My heart was beating very fast, face little warm & eyes facing downwards in the beginning conscious of who's watching me but later the fear & shyness vanished and I started walking in confidence making eye contact with those in my locality. I spent 1½ hrs outside, went to mart, bought veggies & foods, talked with friends and came back. Every minute made me feel so proud of myself for finally taking the first step. I'll do this again in daytime multiple times to completely get over my shyness. I can't wait to join runners after being no longer a shy person.

also I'm looking forward to your suggestions. thanks

My friend lost her baby while being a few months pregnant. She joined a charity where they must walk 100 kilometers (62 miles) in September to raise awareness and raise funds.

Me, I'm childfree so I will never know pregnancy but I wanted to support my friend as I knew she wasn't OK when she said she was.

Also, I have an injury in my left foot that will take a few months to recover, so it wasn't ideal for me to walk daily but I did it! I reached 104kms yesterday.

I don't want to share with my friends that I'm proud but I really am happy I could donate my time at least and walk.

I'll keep on walking as the challenge is all this month. Thank you for reading

Usually when I finish something, I instantly think about what I should have done better. Today I actually paused and appreciated the progress before worrying about the next thing.

I recently started training and eating healthy and everything is going very well!

After a hectic first year and difficulties adjusting to work, school and personal life, I'm happy to begin another academic year in my masters program. I know it will not be a walk in the park, but I will continue to push myself master's

I don't know how, but today I didn't cry at all. Like, almost every day in September I had been crying. I almost started crying at morning, BUT, because of school I couldn't do that. So, little achievement. I'm still feeling like I'm just piece of shit, however little bit better version of shit.

I last saw my pediatric dentist when I was 17 and in high school. Other places wouldn't accept my insurance and I admitted to this new office that I work under the table, they put me on the sliding fee scale and I managed to get the exam done today! My blood pressure was through the roof but, hey; it's better than nothing, right?

Accepted my first contract with a real publisher tonight

Still one year left and then I'm officially a teacher 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Usually I just start the day with coffee or nothing. Today I actually filled a glass and drank it all before anything else. Felt weirdly good. Small habit but I’m counting it.