Week 10 – Perfectionism and Progress: The Power of Showing Up (MAP to Victori Weekly Series)
Here's a truth that might sting at first, but stick with me: recovery isn't a highlight reel. It's not the perfect Instagram story or the flawless transformation you see in movies. Recovery is a steady string of ordinary mornings where you choose life again. And today, I want to tell you why that's not just okay, it's everything.
The Myth That's Holding You Back
We live in a world obsessed with perfection. Every social media post shows someone's best moment, every success story skips the messy middle, and somehow we've convinced ourselves that real progress should look flawless. But here's what the Big Book teaches us on pages 60-63: recovery isn't about being perfect, it's about showing up consistently, even when it's hard.
Think about it this way: perfection asks for everything and gives you nothing back. It demands you be flawless from day one, never stumble, never have a bad moment, never feel scared or uncertain. Progress? Progress just asks you to keep walking, one step at a time.
The Power of Small Coins
Let me share something that changed everything for me. I started thinking of my daily victories as small coins, tiny pieces of proof I could carry in my pocket. Getting up on time? That's a coin. Saying yes to a meeting when I didn't feel like it? Another coin. Texting a friend instead of isolating? Coin. Breathing through a hard moment instead of running? Definitely a coin.
Here's what happens when you start collecting these coins: doubt loses its power. When that voice in your head whispers, "You're not making progress," you can reach into your pocket and feel the weight of all those small wins. They're evidence. They're proof you're changing, even when it doesn't feel dramatic.
Take a moment right now: Think of three small things you did this week that moved you forward. Write them down. Feel them land. Those three items aren't small to your future self, they're building blocks of a life that's getting stronger.
Trading "Should" for Freedom
One of the heaviest words in the English language is "should." It sounds like a judge living in your chest, constantly pointing out where you fall short. "I should have done more." "I should be further along." "I should be better by now."
Here's a practice that creates breathing room: every time "I should" rises up, replace it with "I did" or "I am." Instead of "I should have done more," say, "I did what I could today." Instead of "I should be further," say, "I am here, and I am trying."
That small language shift rewires how you meet yourself. You'll find space to breathe, and breathing makes room for action. Forgiveness and progress live in that space. Say it with me: "I am enough for today." Repeat as needed.
Progress Ripples Outward
Recovery doesn't just happen inside us, it shows up in how we connect with others. Think of someone whose relationship with you has shifted since you started this journey. Maybe you listened instead of reacting, told a small truth, or showed up when it was hard. That shift? That's progress in motion.
It might feel fragile, and that's okay, fragile can be true and still be valuable. The courage you practice in your heart becomes a gift to others. When you choose honesty over hiding, presence over perfection, you give others permission to do the same.
Consider reaching out to someone today in a tiny, honest way: a text, a short call, or a note that says, "I'm trying." You don't need to fix everything; you just need to keep showing up. Healing ripples outward, and your progress matters more than you know.
The Sacred Ordinary
Routine might sound boring, but it's actually a quiet victory. Recovery thrives in rhythm, the same small choices repeated day after day. Your morning routine, your evening check-in, your weekly meeting, these aren't just habits, they're the scaffolding holding up your new life.
If you don't have routines yet, start small. A five-minute morning breath practice. A short evening walk. A daily check-in with yourself or your sponsor. Consistency compounds over time, and those tiny acts become the foundation that holds you when life gets stormy.
Self-care fits here too, and I don't mean bubble baths and face masks (though if those help, go for it). I mean the essential medicine of taking care of your needs: drinking enough water, getting rest, saying no when you need to, stepping outside for fresh air. When you tend to yourself, you build capacity to love others and to stay in recovery another day.
Moving Forward, Not Backward
Some weeks, progress feels obvious. You're hitting your stride, making connections, feeling strong. Other weeks? You might feel stuck, like you're moving through mud. Here's what I've learned: stuck doesn't mean defeated. It means it's time for a different kind of courage: the courage to adjust, rest, and try again.
When progress stalls, revisit your small steps. Maybe they need tweaking, not abandoning. Call your sponsor, adjust the plan, or simply rest with kindness toward yourself. Courage isn't always loud: sometimes it's steady persistence, one day at a time.
Your Next Small Step
We've covered a lot of ground together, but the beauty of progress is that it doesn't demand you implement everything perfectly. Pick one thing from this conversation that resonates. Maybe it's collecting daily wins, trading "should" for "I am," or starting a simple routine.
Recovery isn't a race: it's an ongoing choice to keep showing up for yourself. Your progress matters. Your small wins count. Your willingness to keep trying, even when it's hard, is changing you in ways you might not even see yet.
The Progress Over Perfection t-shirt isn't just clothing: it's a daily reminder that you're exactly where you need to be, doing exactly what you need to do. Some days you'll feel strong and confident. Other days you'll need that reminder printed right there on your chest: progress, not perfection.
Your challenge this week: List three small wins and celebrate one with genuine gratitude. Send a text, write in your journal, or tell someone who cares. Let that celebration fuel your next step forward.
You're not just surviving: you're building a life worth living, one small brave choice at a time. Keep walking. We're walking with you.
Ready to wear your progress? Explore our empowering apparel collection designed to remind you that every small step counts. #MAPtoVictori #ProgressNotPerfection #RecoveryJourney