Recovery in the New Year: Resolutions and Goals for 2022
How to Set and Achieve Goals in the New Year While Focusing on Recovery
A new year is a great time to plan your goals and intentions for the upcoming year and to commit to your recovery.
When setting goals, keep in mind that change takes time and achieving large goals won't happen overnight; achieving a large goal requires making decisions and taking action over time.
The New Year's resolutions you make for 2022 can play a vital role in ensuring a lasting recovery if you determine specific and realistic goals and approach them with patience and understanding.
Setting SMART Goals in the New Year
Creating overly ambitious goals, or those that are too vague, might cause overwhelm and stress. Creating smaller and more realistic goals, with clear ideas about how to achieve them, is more likely to result in success. To help increase your chances of success, you can create SMART goals:
Specific: Choose a precise outcome or finish line.
Measurable: Ensure you can measure your goal.
Action-oriented: Outline the steps you plan to take to reach your goal.
Realistic: Ensure you can reach your goal with the resources you have available.
Timely: Choose a deadline for your overall goal and the steps involved. These can repeat as necessary.
Tips for Setting (and Achieving) New Year’s Goals
Setting goals can be overwhelming; the pressure of the new year to become a "better" version of yourself could cause you to feel stressed about your current status and the size of your goals. Remember, achieving goals and making a positive change in your life is an ongoing process and involves making choices every single day. Here is a list of tips to keep in mind to help you stay on track with your recovery and achieve your goals in the new year:
Resist self-punishment
Many new year’s goals and resolutions are based on shame and guilt people feel over the holidays- too much eating, too much drinking, not enough exercise. In order for a goal to be successful, it should be based on self-love, feelings that you deserve good things, and the idea that you can benefit from positive changes- not rooted in punishment. Try to avoid removing things that you enjoy or acting is punishing ways. Instead, focus on ways to show yourself love and appreciation to frame your efforts in a positive way.
Take one day at a time
While large goals are tempting to make, each large goal is achieved when dividing it into achievable sections. Start small and make healthy positive choices daily to bring you closer to your larger goal. By setting daily goals, your successes will feel more achievable, and any slip ups can have a new beginning the very next day.
Find activities your enjoy
If you are in recovery, chances are the activities you used to engage in involved drugs or alcohol. Take the time to explore new hobbies and activities that can bring you joy. You can redefine how you spend your free time and discover new ways to find happiness.
Discuss your resolution with your support system
Once you have a goal in mind for the new year, share your ideas with your support system to get their feedback. This will help you stay accountable and can be an opportunity to discuss the feasibility of your plans.
Forgive yourself when you mess up
Mistakes are bound to happen, but the worst thing you can do is give up when they do. It is important to stay focused on your goal and remind yourself why you set it in the first place. Address the mistake, forgive yourself for your actions, and move past the challenge to continue working towards your goals.
Ask for help when you need it
Asking for help from people you care about, your support system, and medical professionals is crucial in achieving your goals in recovery. These people are invested in your well being and can help provide the guidance, encouragement, and insight to help you stay on track.
Examples of New Year’s Resolutions While in Recovery
It is important that the goals you set for yourself are applicable to your circumstances and challenges. If you need help coming up with ideas of healthy and appropriate goals to set for 2022, here is a list of examples to help you get started:
I will writing in my journal everyday
I will celebrate my successes
I will make time for myself
I will find a new hobby
I will perform a random act of kindness everyday
I will read everyday
I will communicate to the people I care about
I will attend AA/NA meetings weekly
I will spend time with friends or family once a week
I will ask for help when I need it
I will get a sponsor
I will get exercise three times per week