How to Celebrate: The Declaration of You Invites You to Own Your Success

The Declaration of You, published by North Light Craft Books, gives readers permission to step passionately into their lives, discover how they and their gifts are unique, and uncover what they are meant to do!
Today’s post is part of The Declaration of You’s BlogLovin’ Tour, which I’m thrilled to participate in alongside over 300 other creative bloggers. Learn more — and join us! — by clicking here.

Celebration is a topic near and dear to me. In the course of coaching hundreds of people to help them make their creative dreams real, I have learned that there’s one insidious thing that blocks our success and satisfaction:
We don’t know how to celebrate. And when we don’t acknowledge our efforts, we lose confidence and momentum for our projects.
I am here to insist upon celebration as an integral part of your creative life. When you’ve hauled yourself over the line of your deadline, when you’ve gotten the news that your story has been accepted, when a gallery finally sees your brilliance and puts your work on the walls, it is time to celebrate.
Oddly, when I ask my clients, “How will you celebrate?” they have no response. Most of us have no idea how to celebrate. Aside from a special dinner, we don’t have celebration rituals at the ready.

Thirteen ways to celebrate your creative wins

I’ve compiled a baker’s dozen of creative, inexpensive and fun ways to celebrate your successes. Try these or let them spark your own celebrations.
1. Write a love note to yourself bragging about your win. Go on, indulge in some bragging!
2. Treat yourself to a new notebook or pack of pens.
3. Visit the art supply store and buy a new brush, tube of paint, sheet of beautiful paper, or other creative treat.
4. Take a pause. Go to the park or other natural environment and allow the sights and sounds to rejuvenate your spirit.
5. Give yourself an afternoon in the library or bookstore. Pick up ideas and inspiration for the next creative phase.
6. Call up a creative buddy and schedule a walk or coffee date. Trade acknowledgements of each other’s progress.
7. Make a list of all the things you have done for your creativity in the last six months. Give yourself gold stars for everything.
8. Reread a journal or free write notebook. Take stock of how far you have come and prepare for more.
9. Compile your victories in a portfolio or notebook. Use a three-ring binder with plastic sheets to protect your clips, reviews, articles about you or other kudos you get.
10. Treat yourself to a special bouquet – or even one – flower.
11. Get tickets for a concert, reading or other artistic display. Connecting to others’ creative expression will feed your own.
12. Make notes about what you brought to bear on your creative life. Your persistence, your sense of humor, your willingness to listen to your instincts, all will help you in the next phase of the journey.
13.Plan a retreat – an afternoon, a day, a weekend, a week – in a nearby locale to fuel yourself.
Make a list of your own celebrations and rewards. When you hit a milestone, small or large, you’ll be ready to party on!
How do you celebrate? Share your ideas below.