By Nurfilzah Emily Mohamad Khairuddin
We are now in its final quarter and soon another chapter of life will unfold. At this time, it is common for many of us to look back with heavy hearts thinking about what we have not yet accomplished, the dreams that remain untouched or the plans that did not go our way. But before we let those thoughts weigh us down, we must pause and breathe in a gentler truth. Our journey deserves appreciation.
To appreciate yourself is not pride it is compassion. It is recognizing that every single day you made it through has shaped you into someone stronger. Perhaps you finally gained the courage to try something new or maybe you reached out for help when you needed it most. Maybe you simply kept going even when life felt too heavy to carry. These are not small victories. They are powerful signs of resilience and you deserve to be proud of them because they reveal the depth of your strength and the softness of your heart.
Life can easily make us believe that only grand achievements matter. Career milestones, financial success or ticking off major goals. Yet the truth is, some of the most meaningful accomplishments are quiet and unseen. Waking up on difficult mornings, holding on when you wanted to give up, offering kindness when you had every reason to be bitter, these moments are worth celebrating. They are proof that your soul is learning, growing and becoming.
Gratitude is what turns these moments into treasures. It shifts our gaze away from what is missing and opens our eyes to what is already here. Science tells us that gratitude lowers stress, improves mental health and strengthens relationships. But beyond science, gratitude is a spiritual nourishment. It calms the restless heart and restores hope when the path ahead feels uncertain. When we practice gratitude, we invite peace into our lives not because everything is perfect but because we choose to see the beauty in what we already have.
In Islam, this principle is beautifully reflected in the Quran. Allah says “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]” (Surah Ibrahim, 14:7). Gratitude or Shukr is more than just saying thank you. It is acknowledging Allah’s blessings with humility and love. It is trusting that even when we cannot see the full picture, His wisdom is guiding us and it is believing that when we open our hearts in gratitude, Allah will pour more mercy, more peace and more blessings into our lives. This verse is not just a reassurance it is a promise.
Now, as we step into the last stretch of this year, many of us may feel an urgency to “catch up,” to push harder, to make up for the things we think we lost along the way. But perhaps the most powerful thing you can do is not to rush but to reflect. Take a quiet moment to look back not with regret but with gratitude. Reflect on how far you’ve come, the lessons you’ve gained and the strength you never thought you had. These reflections are not wasted time. They are the very roots that prepare you to enter the new year with peace instead of pressure.
Being proud of yourself is an act of love. It is a way of telling your own soul “I see you. I value you. You are enough.” In a world that constantly tells us to compare, to compete and to run faster, choosing to appreciate your own journey is nothing short of revolutionary. It shields your heart from despair and teaches you empathy. When you begin to honor your own struggles and triumphs, you also begin to recognize the silent battles carried by others. Gratitude softens you and pride in your growth strengthens you. Together, they create a balance of acceptance and hope.
Emotional wellbeing thrives on that balance. Acceptance of where you are today and hope for where you are going tomorrow. You don’t need to finish everything before December. You don’t need to measure your worth against anyone else’s timeline. What matters is that you kept walking even when the road was rough. That you kept believing even when the answers didn’t come right away. That you kept holding on even when your hands were tired. That is more than enough it is extraordinary.
So let this final season of the year be lighter, softer and kinder to you. Fill it with moments of appreciation instead of pressure. Notice the gentle joys around you, the smile of a loved one, the comfort of a meal, the relief of rest after a long day. Celebrate the fact that you have shown up for yourself in countless ways. Carry this gratitude with you like a lantern, lighting your steps as you walk into the next year. When your heart is full of Shukr, every step forward becomes brighter, every burden lighter and every day filled with the promise of more blessings.
Because at the end of the day, your journey deserves appreciation and so do you.
Nurfilzah Emily Mohamad Khairuddin K.B.; P.A. is a Registered Counsellor with Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia.