Letter 73: Comparison is not the thief of joy if...

I am proud of the human I see in the mirror today. And the reason will surprise you!

It’s Day 73 of my journey, and today I found myself thinking back to Day 1. Trust me, the difference between the two is nothing short of transformational.

On Day 1, I felt like I was drowning in self-doubt. I kept asking myself questions like, “Am I capable of doing this? What if I fail? What if I give up halfway? I already failed once” Every small step felt monumental, and honestly, the weight of my own expectations was exhausting.

There were moments—many of them—when I compared myself to others, especially on social media. You know the feeling, right? Opening your feed and seeing people achieving so much more than you.

Someone’s launching a business, someone’s running marathons, someone’s living a picture-perfect life. And there I was, still grappling with the basics. It stung.

But something shifted when I stopped comparing sideways and started comparing backward.

Last night, I decided to pause and truly reflect.

I grabbed my journal and wrote down two lists:

1️⃣ Everything I’ve accomplished since Day 1.

2️⃣ The advice I’d give to myself on Day 1 if I could go back in time.

And wow—it was like a floodgate of emotions opened up.

The ASK from Day 1 would be shocked at how much progress I’ve made. He'd look at the person writing this today and feel proud, inspired, and maybe even a little awestruck. Sure, life is still messy. There are challenges and setbacks. But every step I’ve taken has brought me closer to the person I want to be.

Sometimes, growth is so subtle that you miss it while it’s happening. It’s only when you pause, look back, and compare yourself to who you used to be that you realize how far you’ve come.

Here’s the truth: Growth isn’t loud or flashy. It’s quiet, consistent, and deeply personal. The small decisions you make every day—the ones no one else notices—add up to something extraordinary over time.

So today, I’m celebrating that. I’m celebrating the courage it took to start, the strength it took to continue, and the wisdom to embrace the journey, flaws and all.

If you’re reading this and you feel stuck in your own Day 1, remember this:

The person you’ll be on Day 73 is already in the making. Keep going, even when it’s hard. Your future self will thank you.

What would you say to your Day 1 self if you could go back?

Let’s celebrate our journeys together—drop your thoughts in the comments.

Writing this has already made me feel lighter and more inspired. 💛

Here’s to growth, reflection, and celebrating every step of the way. 🥂