It’s that time of year, “New Year, New Me!” As we enter January each year, we naturally begin to think about the past year and how we want this next year to be different. We often find that it is a positive experience in recovery. Whether you are new to recovery or have been sober for years, you can appreciate the fact that you are still sober. If you’re finding yourself unhappy with your 2021, it’s now the right time to start over.
When we are in recovery, we are our own harshest critics. We are the first to criticise ourselves before anyone else. Even though most people make New Year’s resolutions each year, developing healthy goals is especially important for people recovering from addiction. In order to make effective New Year’s resolutions you’ll be able to keep, remember the acronym SMART, which stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
- Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific, or you won’t be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it. When thinking about your goal, ask yourself what the goal means to you and what you hope to accomplish by setting it.
- Measurable: It’s important to set measurable goals so that you can monitor your progress and stay motivated. By assessing progress, you can stay focused, meet your deadlines, and enjoy the excitement of getting closer to your goal.
- Achievable: To succeed, you should also set a realistic and attainable goal. The goal should challenge your abilities while remaining within your reach. If you set an achievable goal, you may discover resources or opportunities you hadn’t considered before.
- Relevant: Your goal must matter to you – it’s as simple as that!
- Time-Bound: Make your resolutions more solid by giving yourself a deadline. Set a few short-term and long-term goals so you can accomplish some things relatively quickly and others that might take a few months.
If you feel you may need some extra help on your road to recovery, we at Parkland Place can assist you and give you the guidance and support you need to get back on your feet in 2022! There really is no better time to begin or to seek treatment. If you recognise you need help now, then please don’t delay. Contact our friendly team to arrange your free, personal introduction to Parkland Place.
