Many things. Stopped smoking, started eating healthier, cooking, doing sports, going to therapy, stopped hating myself, learning to handle my income appropriately so I don’t live credit to credit anymore, getting a dog (now my second) be nice to people and get nice back. All spread out over the last ten years since I had a breakdown when I turned 30.
In both cases the conversations took place via texts and calls. First occasion was a friend who was being harassed and had a bunch of other not-so-great things happening in their life and they turned to me, telling me that they had the means of killing themselves right next to them. They were being harassed over an aspect of their physical appearance. I told them not to do it, because with every interaction I had with them, they were always so nice, which left an impression on me, and the opinions of anyone so vile as to harass someone for their appearance is not worth even considering. I said more than that, the conversation went on for quite a long time and then it gradually turned into more casual talk and then “see you tomorrow” at school.
Second occasion was a friend who was going through problems with a relationship. I often ask my friends how they’re doing as kind of a habit, so this time they said they weren’t doing well, and told me about how they felt. They didn’t have a family who would listen so I was just there for them, listened to them and offered my input telling them things would get better, giving them some advice on what I’d say or do in that situation, and if they ever needed someone to talk or game with I’d always be there for them. They’re doing well now!
I’m really proud of my job as a manager. Dropped out of uni because I only learned what seemed interesting to me (mostly tech stuff from CS) and now I’m leading a team of devs. Cherry on top is that they like me, too. OTOH I’m proud of my wife and children and lots of other things, like having mastered 2 foreign languages, playing piano, recorder and guitar.
Honestly, just where I’m at in life. I’ve been pulling myself up by my bootstraps for all my life.
Grew up in bumfuck poorsville with abusive parents, joined the military, did some cool stuff, left and went to college, bought a house, graduated, sold the house, moved across country, got a job with my degree, and found a solid friendship group who encourage and care for me and vice versa.
This is all while suffering from an unseen disease that I was finally diagnosed with while in college and have been fighting against ever since.
I am proud of my achievements and I can really say to myself that I made it, despite everything, I made it.
I self published two books and am almost ready to do a third. No interest in being a famous author or making millions, just glad to get them out of my head and to know they are just what I intended them to be.
There’s a smaller publishing company for small time authors in Florida (if the company is still around) Called witching hour publishing. Their whole schtick is to make publishing cheaper and easier for small time writers. Check it out, might be worth it if you are gonna be prolific.
Thanks. I’ve got two young kids and a busy job so not as prolific as I’d like. Maybe a book every 3-4 years, longer if it’s a grand fantasy. My first one was a quarter of a million words in a world I created from scratch, so that took maybe 6 years.
Speaking as someone who rarely ever writes because life keeps getting in the way but still hopes to be published someday. Every day it seems that dream gets further and further away… :(
I saw a comment recently online regarding publishing an indie video game that “nobody played” where people noted you set out to do your goal that very few people ever complete. You published. You’re a winner. You accomplished your feat.
I had similar stuff with music once in my life. It never went where I or others might have hoped. But we recorded and made albums. We played tons of shows. We had a few fans. We opened for big names we loved. I feel like a winner too.
I’m not really saying this to reply to you. I’m not even sure you need to hear it. But someone out there does. Don’t let others define what success or winning is. By setting out to accomplish something, and doing it, that’s a winner already.
Graduating from college, and with a 4.0. I fucking HATE school, and i put that shit off until my 30s. None of it was easy and I studied my ass off to get that 4.0. I truly never thought I would ever graduate, I started and stopped so many times.
All of them. Even the ones I would do differently does not mean I am not proud of the effort and character it took to achieve. There are a few times in particular though. All revolve around standing up and doing the right thing, even when it was small. Those after school specials are corney but it does take a lot to go against the crowd and go with what seems right.
Talked a friend out of suicide when COVID first hit and a bunch of people lost their jobs and homes. Now he’s got a pretty sweet work from home job with full benefits and his own place again. Am very happy for him.
All these people posting inspirational stories and here I am with my first thought being “Finally saw the northern lights”. Got some decent pictures too.
Honestly I am really proud of everything in my life. I have learned English all by myself and I have always helped people around school with it which made me (plus being good looking and an interesting person) made me “the popular kid” in the school. In high school I was in a boys only school which really made me anxious when I speak with a girl my age. Guess that’s what happens when you don’t talk to a single girl of your age for 4 years. I’m not joking. I really have no female friends.
Another thing I’m proud of is my knowledge on computers. Which I assume is the majority here so I’ll skip that.
I have befriended people of many types. Some were confident, outgoing people. And some were anxious, shy, insecure people. The kind of people that are afraid of making eye contact with you when speaking. I have seen those people change around me. I learned that simply listening engaging in conversation with them opens them up. And now those people are not shy anymore! They engage in activities with other people and are happy. My companionship helped them navigate through their issues and they realized that if a person such as me listens and cares about them, there are people out there that will. And I’m really proud of myself for changing their lives.