Five Years from Now, I’ll Thank Myself

I had to step on a scale today at the doctor’s office. As the numbers settled, a wave of disappointment started to creep in. It wasn’t just about the number itself—it was about everything it represented. I know that my body today is the product of the choices, challenges, and circumstances of the past five years. And I can’t help but think about everything I’ve been through—the highs, the lows, the trauma, the resilience. Every moment that shaped me, every struggle that left its mark, and every time I tried to keep moving forward, even when it felt impossible.

It’s easy to get lost in frustration, to dwell on what I wish I had done differently. But here’s the thing: I refuse to let the past define me. I refuse to let a number on a scale be the measure of my worth, my progress, or my potential. I am not just a reflection of where I’ve been—I am a work in progress, actively shaping where I’m going.

I’m making changes. Small ones, big ones—each day, I’m choosing to show up for myself. I’m learning to be patient, to trust that effort compounds over time. That the choices I make today—whether it’s moving my body, fueling it with care, or practicing self-compassion—will create the future I want. Five years from now, I want to look back and see the results of the work I’m putting in today. I want to know that I stayed committed, even when progress felt slow, even when doubt tried to creep in.

Because progress isn’t instant, but it’s happening. And that’s what matters. One step, one choice, one day at a time.