One of the most common pitfalls with New Year’s resolutions is setting overly ambitious goals that can feel overwhelming or unattainable. In recovery, it’s crucial to set realistic goals that are aligned with your current stage of healing.

How to do this:

• Focus on small, incremental changes. Instead of making sweeping resolutions like, “I’m going to change everything about my life,” try to focus on one or two specific goals. For example, you might resolve to attend more support meetings or focus on improving your physical health with regular exercise.
• Set measurable goals. It’s easier to track your progress when your goals are measurable. Instead of saying, “I want to be healthier,” you could say, “I’ll go for a 30-minute walk three times a week.” This makes it clear when you’re achieving your goal and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
• Be kind to yourself. Understand that recovery is filled with ups and downs, and your resolutions don’t have to be set in stone. If circumstances change or you find a goal is too challenging, it’s okay to adjust it. The important thing is that you’re continuing to move forward.

While many people set resolutions focused on areas like career, fitness, or finances, it is important to keep recovery at the forefront of their goals. The new year can be a great time to strengthen your commitment to sobriety by setting resolutions that directly support your recovery journey.

Some recovery-centered resolutions might include:

• Attending more support meetings. If attending meetings has helped you stay sober, consider resolving to increase your attendance frequency or try a new type of meeting to expand your support network.
• Focusing on mental health. Consider setting a goal to engage in mindfulness practices, see a therapist regularly, or dedicate time to self-care activities that reduce stress and anxiety.
• Building healthy relationships. Resolve to foster stronger relationships with people who support your recovery. You could set a goal to reconnect with sober friends, build healthier boundaries with others, or attend family therapy if applicable.

Keeping your resolutions closely tied to your recovery ensures that your personal growth is aligned with your long-term sobriety goals.

People often give up on resolutions because they seem too far away or overwhelming. To avoid this, try breaking your larger goals into smaller, short-term milestones that feel more achievable and give you regular wins to celebrate.

For example:

• If your goal is to exercise regularly, start by setting a weekly or monthly milestone. You might say, “In January, I will go to the gym twice a week,” and then reevaluate each month.
• If you resolve to improve your mental health, start with simple, daily goals like journaling for 10 minutes or practicing a short meditation each morning. These small actions will build up over time and contribute to more significant changes in your well-being.

Breaking your goals into smaller, manageable steps makes them feel less daunting and helps you see progress more frequently, which can be incredibly motivating.