The Power of Small Victories in Recovery

When you’re healing from domestic violence or narcissistic abuse, recovery can feel overwhelming. You want to wake up one day and feel completely free, confident, peaceful, unshaken. But recovery doesn’t happen in one dramatic leap. It happens in small victories that build into lasting change.

And those small victories? They are not “minor.” They are powerful proof that you are moving forward.

Why Small Victories Matter

Abuse tears down confidence, autonomy, and hope. Recovery means slowly rebuilding each piece. Big milestones, like finishing therapy, starting a new relationship, or launching a career, are important, but they take time.

Small victories remind you that healing is already happening. They’re the everyday wins that say: “I am no longer stuck. I am reclaiming myself.”

Examples of Small Victories

• Saying “no” without apologizing.

• Blocking their number instead of rereading old messages.

• Sleeping through the night without panic waking you up.

• Cooking a meal for yourself and enjoying it.

• Smiling and actually meaning it.

• Walking into a room with your head held high.

• Feeling an urge to go back and choosing not to.

These moments might seem small to others, but to a survivor, they’re mountains moved.

How to Notice Them

Abuse trains you to minimize yourself, so you may overlook your progress. Start keeping a “Victory Journal.”

Each day, write down one thing you did for your healing, no matter how small. Over time, you’ll see your strength in black and white, a roadmap of resilience.

Building Momentum

Small victories build momentum. The first time you speak up may feel terrifying. The second time, a little easier. By the tenth time, it’s second nature. Every step forward makes the next one lighter.

Think of recovery like climbing a staircase. Each small step carries you higher. The top isn’t reached by one giant leap, but by steady movement upward.

Final Word

If you’re healing, don’t dismiss your small victories. They are the bricks that rebuild your life. They are proof that you’re not who your abuser said you were,

you are stronger, braver, and more capable than you realized.

Every “small” win is a declaration: I survived. I’m healing. And I am moving forward.

Celebrate them all. Because one day, you’ll look back and realize those small victories weren’t small at all, they were everything.