Many people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year but what about those who are in addiction recovery? What kind of resolutions can actually help and make a difference? When you’re in recovery, not only do you want to be a better version of yourself, but you also don’t want your old habits to creep back into your life.
If you need ideas that will keep you on track and help you to keep moving forward towards long-term change, this blog is for you. We have created this list of New Year’s resolution ideas that will hopefully inspire you in your sobriety journey this year.
“I will prioritize my recovery.”
An essential part of recovery is to make your sobriety a priority. Once you have decided to quit drinking, using drugs, or any other addiction, it becomes important for you to make that commitment and stick with it.
You have to be committed and determined for recovery to work. You might be motivated in the beginning but after some time, you might find yourself distracted with other stuff in your life and slowly going back to your old habits.
In order to avoid relapse, you have got to make a conscious effort not to go back down that path. You have to follow your recovery program and put that as your number one priority. Remember that only when you’re back sober and healthy can you do the other things you want to achieve.
“I will be grateful for every single day.”
Making a resolution doesn’t mean that it has to be something highly ambitious or extremely difficult. You could try resolving to do small but meaningful things such as being more grateful for what you have. When you feel grateful, you are more likely to be appreciative of your life and that can inspire you to stay sober.
Be thankful for things that we often take for granted such as waking up to a new day or being healthy today. A new morning is a new opportunity to turn your life around and start over. And the best thing you can do is to be grateful for that chance and open your heart to new possibilities.
“I will work on my weaknesses.”
Every person is a work in progress. Just because you are not where you want to be right now doesn’t mean you will never get there. If there are certain coping mechanisms or skills that you haven’t yet mastered, this is the best opportunity to work on them.
Set goals for yourself and start working on them today. Remember that there are 365 days in a year and every day is a new opportunity to improve and learn new things. The important thing is that you’re here today and you’re making a conscious effort to work on yourself.
“I will be kinder to myself”
We are always reminded to be kind to other people but when was the last time you were kind to yourself? While it’s understandable that you want your recovery to be successful, you cannot be too hard on yourself. You need to practice self-compassion if you want your recovery to last longer.
You always have to keep in mind that you are not perfect and neither is your recovery. You won’t be 100% sober or free of cravings all the time. There will be days when you might slip up or make a mistake. But that’s okay as long as you learn from it and decide to do better next time.
Being kind to yourself also means taking care of yourself. Engage in self-care activities, take a break, and relax. You have to nourish yourself physically, mentally, and even spiritually so you can heal holistically.
“I will not be ashamed to seek help when I need it.”
There will be times when you will encounter a hard patch in your recovery journey. Maybe you’re struggling with your cravings or coping with some difficult emotions. And sometimes, you might feel like things are becoming too much and you cannot do it alone.
When that happens, do not be afraid to reach out for help. You don’t have to go through recovery all by yourself and there is absolutely nothing wrong in asking for assistance when you need someone to talk to.
Connect with a support network especially during times like this. You can also contact your sober coach, buddy, or your addiction therapist if you are struggling. Don’t be embarrassed to admit that you need help if this can avoid relapse.
