Never underestimate how much work it takes for some people to reach their career goals. This young woman had the cards stacked against her but was able to pursue her dreams with hard work. She said: “Grew up poor in a small town family of 10 and I’m a first-gen college student. I’ve made the top 10% of my class, I’m the VP and President-elect of the student body, and I landed an internship with Deloitte Consulting for the summer. All by myself and I’m only a junior. Happy is an understatement!”

We love seeing people out exploring the world, especially when they’ve dreamed about it for so long. This young woman said: “In elementary school I wrote a report about the Maldives and always wanted to go. I finally got to with my husband and it was absolutely beautiful!” We have to admit, we’re a little jealous, but how great is it to see your goals realized in such a beautiful place?!

This Redditor announced he had been sober for a year when he posted this happy photo, noting that “Coincidentally, this has been the best 365 days of my life. Perhaps even consequently so. All I know is that I feel great.” Well done!

Redditor “shannafran” is taking her goal to be a singer/actress sersiously. She reports: “5 months ago, I started preparing for an audition for my dream role by taking voice lessons and prioritizing diet/exercise. Today I found out I didn’t get the role, but I nailed the high notes in my audition and lost 15 pounds. I’ve grown so much and I’m still calling it a win!” It’s so important to be proud of your progress and keep striving when you’re trying to achieve your dreams.

It’s hard to pick up and move, especially when you have a passion or hobby that isn’t terribly common and you don’t want to give it up. This Redditor practices JiuJitsu but had to travel to keep up with his training after moving to a small town without a facility. Now, he is happy to report: “I started a local club recently and today my kids started too.” That’s some serious commitment!

We’re happy to see everyone smiling in this photo since it came from a hard-earned recovery from mental illness. The poster said: “On September 30th, I tried to end my life. Half a year later and I’m smiling bigger than I ever have. I think I’ve found the one.” Sounds like relationship goals as well.

Cystic acne is notoriously hard to treat and acne, in general, is linked to depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, and even a decreased quality of life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. That’s why this young woman’s selfie means so much. She posted it with the caption: “After 6 years of horribly emotionally and physically painful acne I finally figured out how to control my skin… never thought I would put a picture of myself without any makeup on the internet! Here’s to hope and new found self-confidence!”

It’s always heartwarming to see young people achieving their dreams, especially when they feel like they might not be good enough to pursue their passions. We think this Redditor was underestimating himself (and his GPA) since he just got into a great program. He says: “I spent the past four years in high school dedicated to robotics and spent everyday there about 1500hours. Now I got into UCSC for robotics engineering. I’m so happy and still shocked at how I got In with such a low gpa! But I’m so happy and feel like a huge weight has been taken off my shoulders!” It looks like all that dedication paid off.

This Redditor is doing pull-ups 3 months after back surgery. He says: “This was taken after my first set of pull ups in 3 months due to my corrective back surgery. I’m already underweight and lost 10 lbs during recovery, but am working to regain the weight plus more! Here’s to many more sets of pull ups to come!” What an inspiration! Who feels ready for a workout?

This woman is recovering from more than one bad situation but looks like she’s well on her way to a better life. At 504 days sober, she was happy to report: “4 weeks out of a bad situation for everyone. The first year hasn’t been without, confusion, tears, pain, anxiety, and insecurity. I’ve had to relive a lotta moments this past year and have managed to ignore the Devil on my shoulder that says, ‘Just one drink….'” More proof that recovery can be a life-long struggle but you’re strong enough to do it.

Imagine being young and fighting cancer and not knowing what you might be able to achieve in life or how long it will last. We’re so happy for this young woman who reported: “Today is my 3 year anniversary of being in remission and I woke up to an email with my first internship offer. I started crying out of overwhelming joy and gratitude for my family, friends, and faith!” A grateful heart is the key to appreciating a second chance.

The death of a loved one hits us all in different ways. This Redditor was hit hard by not only the death of a grandparent but multiple health issues. The road to recovery sounds especially difficult, but he reports: “Since the death of my grandfather 5 years ago, I have eaten nothing but junk food. My doctor warned me I need to stop soon, or I’ll die young. My battle with cancer, depression, and anxiety made me too scared to cook. Today I made 4 healthy meals for my week, and I was so proud I cried all day.” Sometimes all you need is proof that you can take the first step.

Some people go through more than the rest of us could ever imagine, so it’s such an inspiration to see them come out the other side of tough times with a great attitude. This woman recounts trodding a hard path before this photo was snapped: “1 year ago: pregnant, in a wheelchair. 9 months ago: gave birth then soon after was traumatized and got PTSD. 6months ago: committed to daily rides with my Samoyed. Each day since when I get out with him, we both feel pure happiness! Focus on what you can control!”

If you think getting into college is hard, try graduating! This Redditor posted to the site’s “/happy” page with the news: “After many difficulties and moments in which I thought I could not make it, I finally graduated! I’m so happy!” And we’re happy for her.

Everything is difficult when you’re clinically depressed. But this young woman is in recovery and finally getting a chance to enjoy life: “Recently got a job. No longer having suicidal ideation. Enjoying my free time now instead of agonising over it.”

We love seeing people achieve their career goals – especially lofty ones like writing a book! Writer Dea Poirier says: “After years of writing — I got to hold a book I wrote for the first time today.” We checked, and it comes out on May 1, 2019!

According to the National Infertility Center, only 20-25% of women in their “prime” conceiving years who are trying to have a baby get pregnant each month. So we can only imagine how hard it is to struggle for years. That’s why this photo no doubt means so much to the women who posted it, who reports that: “After 4 years of struggling with infertility I finally have the family I dreamed of.” What a feeling that must be!

This young women is on the road to recovery from anorexia. She says: “Went from 89 pounds and obsessively looking at the scale everyday to chowing down on pizza with my fiancé. Treatment is hard, but has been so worth it. As cliché as it sounds, you are not alone!” According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, so we’re happy to see a longer and healthier life ahead of her!

Next time you give a lame excuse to your professor, remember this woman who is studying for an exam right after giving birth. It’s not an ideal situation by any means, but it’s certainly an example of some amazing commitment.

Some of us never have to worry about having a home, so it’s humbling to see someone work hard to put a roof over their heads. This new apartment-dweller said: “It’s not much. I can’t afford a couch or a chair right now. But it’s home. And for the first time in a long time… I feel safe and I’m happy.” Hey, who needs a couch when you’ve got some good take-out food and a furry best buddy who looks ready to help you eat it?

This scoliosis sufferer is on the road to recovery after successful surgery (that looks pretty serious). He said: “Nice and straight. Dressing now off and scar healing. It’s been a month today. Also ~ 3cm taller, might be more. Surgery was a touch over 8 hrs, according to anesthetist.” Wow. Next time we’re told to stand up straight, we’re really going to appreicate that we’re able to do so without this kind of intervention!

Anyone with student loans can appreciate this poster’s commitment to paying them off: “I just paid off my student loans in one chunk of giant change. I thought I might wince at spending this much money but all I feel is good. 29, debt free, and just got my degree.” Bravo!

We love to see hard-working youngsters excited about their academic future. There are probably more best days to come after this, but this Redditor was proud to show off the fruits of their hard work: “At 15, I got accepted into a college-based high school after so much stress. Today has been the best day of my life.” We hope they can rest easy now in preparation for the hard work to come!

Redditor Sumit316 says: “This is Tanner Wilson, a senior at Caddo High School who saved his money for 2 years so that he could buy his best friend a motorized wheelchair.” That’s dedication to saving money AND to friendship!

This guy posted a photo with his new kitten, which he would have been allergic to years ago: “I’ve been allergic my whole life to cats. I’ve finally built up enough of an immunity through injections. Reddit, please welcome my first rescue kitty, Legolas.” While many of us put up with some occasional sniffles around the family pet, it’s a whole other committment to work up an immunity when you don’t even have a pet yet.

This woman managed to recover from an often debilitating disease and use her experience to help others: “Two years ago I was dying in a hospital bed due to my severe Crohn’s disease, today, I am 7 months away from graduating with a degree to help people with Crohns and Colitis! To everyone who said I wasn’t able to do it, guess what? I did it!”

We all know how challenging it can be to lose weight, so imagine losing 80lbs! This young man did and now says he’s “never felt better.” And let’s be honest, it’s all about how you feel in your body, not what society says you should look like.

This young man is making his goals of seeing the world come true after being disappointed by empty promises in the past: “My dad always promised to take me places when I was younger. He never did. I’m glad that I now have the ability to treat myself to different places. My first stop is Oahu.” Sometimes the only person you can rely on to help you reach your goals is you.

This man overcame teenage mental illness to help other young people improve their physical and emotional strength. He explained: “I wanted to end my life when I was 16. My friend helped me during that time. Now I’m 28, a new Pediatric occupational therapy practitioner, and helping children grow big and strong! Sometimes we need a little help on our journey.” What a way to pass on the support he received!

Family, friendship, and relationship goals are great, but being able to fly solo (quite literally in this case) is important too, especially for those coming out of bad relationships. This woman’s story is also a testament to the power of travel in making people feel powerful and self-sufficient. She said: “Today I’m embarking on my first solo trip!! After 2 years in a dependent and often disparaging relationship, I’m so proud of myself for being content and happily single!” You go, girl!

Those of us who were born into the American dream have a hard time understanding what it takes to achieve success, but this man overcame all of his obstacles and it sounds like all of his hard work really paid off! He posted: “From being a broke musician, to emigrating to the USA, having two great kids, meeting a wonderful woman and buying a collection of motorcycles and a house!” We can certainly see why he’s smiling.

This couple’s home burned down in California’s devastating “Camp Fire” in 2018, but they just reported some great news: “After being burned out of Paradise in the Camp Fire my boyfriend and I finally closed escrow on our new house! I haven’t been this happy in months!” We can only imagine what it feels like to have a home of your own again.

And saving goals! We all know how hard it is to save money, especially when you’re young. But as this Redditor reports: “After 6 months of saving, a lot of working with dogs and helping people with lawn care, etc., [he] finally got a [Nintendo] Switch!” And we hope he enjoys that hard-earned reward.

There’s really no substitute for hard work and putting in the time, as this photo shows. “2016 and 2018 art progress! I hope hard work will be also useful in 2019! Don’t stop drawing!” We think the artist was pretty talented to begin with, but there’s no arguing with the improvement brought on by practice.

This return Redditor struggled with college but stuck with it and was recently able to report: “A few months ago I made a post about being 26 and struggling with college for so many years. I’m so happy to say that I did it! After 5 1/2 years I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry! A big thank you to everyone that gave words of encouragement and support!”

They say “when it rains, it pours,” but it’s even nicer when your friends can share in your good luck and accomplishments: “3 weeks ago, a friend from high school and I were commiserating about the fact that we were both broke, unemployed, and barely holding our lives together. Two weeks ago, we almost simultaneously got hired to the best paying jobs either of us have ever had.”

Public speaking is a pretty common fear, but this woman just showed it the door: “I overcame my fear of public speaking and jumped from a 45 person audience to 1000! I never thought I could do it and I am SO happy, it’s completely uplifted my week!”

This young man stuck with his job search through a truly stunning string of bad luck: “After 97 unsuccessful job applications I just got given a trial shift for my local fish & chip shop.” We hope he’s enjoying his new job!

Going into business for yourself – especially the restaurant business – is not for the faint of heart. This sign would certainly draw us into a restaurant, so we hope Redditor Sirnando138 keeps up the good work. He said it’s been 2 years and he’s still at it: “I opened my tiny restaurant 2 years ago, today. Here’s me about to hang up my sign and get it all started. It’s been so crazy, but I’m still very happy!” The happiness part is key – congrats!

Long-distance relationships are tough, but they’re made even tougher if you don’t know if your spouse will ever be able to join you in the same country. Luckily for this couple, they’ll be back together soon. The husband posted: “After more than 14 months of paperwork and bureaucracy, today my wife was finally approved for her visa and can join me at home in the US!” It sounds like it’ll be quite a reunion.

This man overcame his financial struggles to get the education he wanted and has now managed to pay off an engineering degree: “I’ve been struggling to pull the money to go to college for 4 years, bad credit, limited loans, etc. I just made the last tuition payment of my aerospace engineering degree. Happy Friday everybody, much love.” Wow – well done!

It’s one thing to get into an education program (and pay for it), but finishing successfully is the key. This poster couldn’t help but share the good news of completing a degree after previous academic setbacks: “Deleting this app finally made the fact that I actually completed my associate’s degree hit me. After failing out of 4 other schools I finally found the career path that I am passionate about and I stuck it through and earned my degree! I am so happy!” That’s some impressive perseverance.

There’s no right age to buy your first home and some people have to wait much longer than others until things come together to make it happen. This Redditor is a proud first-time homeowner at the age of 44. He jokingly added to his post: “Get off my lawn.”

Those of us who don’t have disabilities can never understand what life is like for those who stuggle on a daily basis. That’s why we’re so happy for this young woman’s newfound success. She posted: “3 years ago I was suicidal and thought I could never work because of my disabilities. Today was my first day of work at an animal shelter and they got me a coffee mug as a welcome gift. Stable and doing well.” We’re calling this one co-worker goals as well.

This proud momma got to see her blind daughter overcome her fear and bond with the family pet for the first time. So often we take for granted the relationship between children and pets, but it’s not so easy for everyone. She said: “I am so insanely happy tonight! This is the first time that my daughter, who is legally blind, has touched one of our animals. She freaking touched an animal for the first time, and she loved it! I don’t think the happiness meter will go much higher for us for a while.”

What a difference a year makes! This Redditor took to the website’s “/happy” page to update people on his brother: “1 year ago doctors told my brother he had Liver Cirrhosis/ needed a transplant/had 6 months to live. Today his liver is functioning, he’s 150lbs down, 1 year sober and the healthiest physically and mentally that he’s ever been.” Can you imagine your life changing so much in 365 days?!

What a beautiful family. This young woman said: “My boyfriend of four years was paralyzed in a car accident. Here we are two years after the accident and our little family makes me happier than ever. We rock and roll together.”

We can’t imagine having friends who could be so critical, but we’re glad to hear (and see) that this poster managed to overcome discouragement and improve a skill they enjoy: “I was bullied out of drawing when I was younger because my former best friend said I’d never be as good as her. Last year I drew my D&D character and rediscovered how much I love to draw. This week I redrew her to see how I’ve progressed – I’m so happy with how it turned out!!”

You never know what people have been through when you see them out and about. This couple has been through the wringer, but has come out the other side with their health and relationship intact: “My wife and I when we were in active addiction, vs us in April 2017. We now both have over five years clean from drugs and alcohol and we have a 3 year old girl. Life has been challenging but compared to our old lives, we are quite literally living a dream!” Wow – they’ve come a long way!

While some of us are meeting more modest goals, others have had to overcome truly unimaginable obstacles. This daughter reports that her mother was unlikely to see her wedding day, but overcame the odds of a major health setback to make both of their dreams come true: “2 years ago today my mom had a profound brain hemorrhaging stroke. She’s exceeded all of her medical teams milestones & goals. Here we are on my wedding day, a day I feared we may never share together, celebrating life, love and support.”