Author: Breanna Mills R.D.
A new year can be a great time to reflect on your past year and reflect on your recovery. What went really well for you this year? What do you want to work on to strengthen your recovery?
Unfortunately, a new year can also be a challenging time. We are constantly bombarded with messages about new year’s resolutions that typically focus on changing our bodies. These resolutions are often filled with empty promises of a quick fix, and more often than not, we can commit to these resolutions for a short period of time but are unable to sustain them and are left feeling defeated and unmotivated.
How you can create positive resolutions this year:
1. Identify your values
The purpose of creating a resolution is to make a change to better your life. To do this, it can be helpful to identify your values. What is most important to you? How is the way you are living now aligning with these values? For example, maybe one of your values is social connection. You may choose to create a resolution for this year to accept more invitations to go out with friends.
2. Move away from black and white resolutions
Many resolutions are based upon doing something for a certain number of times, a certain number of days a week. Having goals be so specific demands perfection in achieving these goals. If you do not do whatever you planned to do this many times, then you have failed. Perhaps it may be more helpful to be less specific with your goals and allow for flexibility. An example of a flexible goal could be to practice more self care this year. Framing your goals in this way allows you to be empowered instead of defeated by your goals.
3. Set realistic goals for your recovery
Slips are often a normal part of the recovery process. Creating black and white resolutions may inadvertently set you up for failure in recovery. Slips do happen and it is important to acknowledge them, seek support and practice self care. If creating resolutions, it is important to be realistic in the goals you set for your recovery allow for flexibility.
A new year can be a great time to refocus on you and your recovery. Creating New Year’s Resolutions can be very common around this time of year. If you choose to make resolutions, it may be more beneficial for your recovery to ensure you are setting realistic goals for your recovery that focus on your values and allow for flexibility.
Comments