Small Wins Lead to Big Impact: How to Celebrate Progress in Recovery

Written By Dylan Hodge

At the beginning of my recovery and healing, my focus was only on the “big milestones.”


I pictured success as making it to that one‑year mark of sobriety or never craving to be intoxicated. But the truth is, lasting recovery is built one small win at a time.

Small Wins Matter

It isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. As cliché as it is, you have to trust the process God has you in and surrender to it. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

It’s the little choices you make every day that shape who you’re becoming. Every healthy choice is worth it. Those “little” victories are proof that your life is moving in a new direction.

Something happens when you celebrate the “small choices”:

  • You build confidence and hope.

  • Your brain starts to look for progress instead of failure.

  • You realize that you really are changing—bit by bit, day by day.

What Counts as a Small Win?

Sometimes we overlook progress because our perception of freedom is distorted. But the process of recovery is like a mosaic of many choices and steps toward the life you’re building.

  • You said no to an old habit or friend who pressures you.

  • You showed up for a meeting or coaching session when you didn’t feel like it.

  • You reached out for help instead of isolating.

  • You chose prayer, journaling, or a walk instead of numbing out.

  • You ate a healthy meal, drank water, or went to bed on time.

How to Celebrate Your Progress

Celebration doesn’t have to be loud or expensive. The important thing is to pause and acknowledge what’s going right. Ways to Celebrate:

  • Write it down. Keep a “victory journal” and jot down the wins you notice.

  • Tell someone. Share your progress with a trusted friend, sponsor, or coach.

  • Create a victory jar. Drop in a note each time you overcome a challenge.

  • Do something life‑giving. Treat yourself to coffee with a friend, a hike, a favorite hobby, or quiet time with God.

  • Thank God for your growth. Taking a moment in prayer to say, “I see what You’re doing in me.” This shifts your perspective in powerful ways.

A Word of Encouragement

You don’t have to wait until you’ve “arrived” to celebrate. I celebrate YOU for reading this!

I encourage you to celebrate right now. What is a win you can celebrate today? Maybe it is that you’re reading this. Maybe you said no to stopping by the convenient last night for alcohol. Maybe you deleted and blocked and old dealers number. Maybe you started looking for a job to get away from unhealthy coworkers. Maybe you forgave yourself and let God love you, because He does!

Dylan Hodge