The Importance of Reflecting on Our Achievements

Opinion Piece By Michelle Shapange

As young people, we are often encouraged to keep pushing, to dream bigger, to do more, but rarely are we reminded to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come. In the fast-paced rhythm of student life, we chase deadlines, juggle responsibilities, and move from one goal to the next without stopping to appreciate the progress we’ve made. Yet, reflection is not a luxury; it is a necessity for growth.

For a long time, I was one of those people who found it difficult to acknowledge or celebrate my own wins. Growing up, I became accustomed to rejection and not always being seen or affirmed. This shaped the way I viewed my success - I subconsciously believed that my achievements were not worth celebrating. It was as if I had to downplay every victory, convincing myself that “it’s just like any other thing.” But that’s not true.

I have since learned that no one should celebrate my achievements more than I should. “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate,” Oprah Winfrey once said — and I couldn’t agree more. For the first time this year, I threw myself a birthday party to celebrate my 21st, fully funded by me. It might sound small to some, but to me, it was a milestone and a way of saying, “You deserve this.” For once, I didn’t feel guilty about celebrating myself. It felt right, and it felt earned.

Recently, I was honored to receive the Best Female Radio Presenter of the Year award at the 2025 Simply You Lifestyle and Magazine Awards. That night was a full-circle moment for me , a reflection of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. I’ve worked my whole life for a moment like that, and I still think about it every single day. It reminded me that reflecting on your journey allows you to recognize your growth, appreciate your resilience, and find motivation for what lies ahead.

As students and young people, we often wait for others to validate our success. But sometimes, self-recognition is the validation we truly need. Whether it’s passing an exam, completing a semester, staying consistent with your goals, or even making it through a tough week - celebrate that. Take yourself out for lunch. Buy yourself something nice. Be proud of how far you’ve come.

Reflection doesn’t mean you stop striving; it means you take a moment to honor your progress. And in doing so, you learn that you are worthy of every good thing that comes your way.

Because at the end of the day, the journey is long , but the little celebrations along the way remind us why we started.

Michelle Shapange is an Award winning Radio Presenter and a third year Bachelor of Journalism and Media Technology student  at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.