“Treat.” Every time I feel happy enough with my life to share some good news with a friend, that familiar, slightly nagging word jumps out: “Treat.” Quite shamelessly, I’ll then start downplaying my achievement, as if trying to convince us both it wasn’t such a big deal. This pattern repeats so often that I sometimes wonder if “treat” is the truest form of “congratulations.” But what makes a treat so essential? Why does celebrating feel incomplete without it? Why Celebrating Success Matters Psychologically Celebration is an essential part of success. Taking time to acknowledge an achievement imprints a sense of positivity, helping good moments feel memorable even when life’s not perfect. Most of the effort behind any accomplishment isn’t that glamorous—it’s the joy after success that inspires us to keep going. By linking achievement with positive emotions, we reinforce motivation and remind ourselves that life is more than just its struggles. The Social Dynamics of Treats But i...