Piggybacking on the recent post by u/SP_SuitScholar.

Keep in mind I've been walking this road for two years.

  • When someone is recovering from a substance abuse disorder, I tell him to give his family and friends lots of time to get used to the new him. (I even stole the "1 year of loserville = 1 month of positive change" from here). Sometimes guys have to put in years of consistent, clean behavior before a loved one will trust that he's not going to drink again.

  • When someone starts working out, the cliche pinterest motivational pictures say to expect a month before you notice any differences, and at least six months before anyone else does. It's true, even if it comes with a filtered pic of a girl in a sports bra.

Change is never linear. You'll have great days when you feel on top of the world, and you'll have shitty days when you feel lower than you started. And none of it matters.

The only thing that matters is that you work consistently.

The movie character that gets the most screentime is the most important character.

Doesn't matter if you cross the finish line like a wounded Iraqi. If you put in the time, you'll reap the rewards.

Yesterday, my wife said that she was suddenly very aware of how masculine I was. She's finally coming around. She used the exact words: "I guess it's just attractive to see a man handling his shit."

Two years I've been at this. Took her long enough. Good thing I don't measure myself by her recognition.