So I'm one day away from 90. I know it's a big milestone but unlike last time I'm not interested at stopping any time soon. I'm hoping be'H to be in this for the long haul. Im always looking for chizuk to be successful long term.

One question I have, however is how to celebrate milestones. I think we've all heard about the tendency to focus too much on the falls and not enough on the achievements. I'm certainly that way. So what l'maaseh do people do to celebrate accomplishments. What can I do that will give me the chizuk to keep on going strong until the next 90?

siyatta wrote on 06 Aug 2024 16:14:

Can't believe this question even needs to be asked.

WOODFORD OF COURSE!

Just had quite a large glassful last night to celebrate Muttel's 90, Thompson's baby, someone else's 7 days, and anything else I could think of. See - you don't even need personal accomplishments to celebrate.

Kidding aside. It's just depends on what will make you happy and feel rewarded and what your budget is. Something big enough to feel good but not so expensive it hurts lol.
Some ideas: Take your wife out to eat (pretend it's a siyum and get fleish); go out to eat without your wife; a nice bottle of whisky, a cheap bottle of whiskey, a mini that you chug in the store; a donut; a watch or some other man-bling that you'll see and remember your success; or of course, a nice set of seforim.

Edit: CONGRATS ON 89 DAYS!!!!!!! Keep on monster trucking!

siyatta wrote on 06 Aug 2024 16:14:

I like to celebrate by dancing!  When I am at a wedding etc I have in mind my celebrations. Obviously that won’t work this week.  My other go to is ice cream.  

That's awesome! 
To each their own, but I'm not good at celebrating myself with materialistic things. For me it is more meaningful to take a proper look at myself, maintaining a healthy pride in my accomplishments - both daily and over time.
Self-affirmations for the daily wins. For the bigger milestones, more of a cheshbon hanefesh, taking a look at my life and really, really appreciating the work I've put in and where I now stand. It's validating and makes me want to keep going. Not too fast, but recognizing when I'm ready to raise the bar and never stop becoming more me.

chosemyshem wrote on 06 Aug 2024 16:36:

I absolutely second this! I like mine double-oaked...
On a serious note, as everyone else is saying, you need to find something that speaks to you.
Personally, I like to have a l'chaim from a nicer bottle or get myself a nice set of seforim. (I've done both already.)
I also like vehkam's idea, I hope to implement it at the right time.

Either way, 
KOMT!

Mazel tov on 90!!!!!

So how'd you decide to celebrate?

Nothing yet. I told my wife that I was told to by a bottle of whiskey to celebrate keeping up with the Daf Yomi for over a month. We know what it's really for... 

I think this is such a valuable question, and once it’s internalized that you actually achieved such a lofty level, there’s no real reward that would be great enough. I do think enjoying alone might work best as this is one of the rare things in life that you can say you achieved without your close circle knowing about it. It’s important that no matter what you do to celebrate, you come back with a smile and ready for the next milestone.