The new year is the most here, and learning about transitional living and how to manage goals for the new year is essential for setting yourself up for success. Your goals should be small steps toward significant change, action-based, and practical. It's vital to use good practices and healthy habits you've learned through treatment to help you make and achieve your goals. New Year’s resolutions and goals need to be reasonable when undergoing transitional living. How can you manage your plans for the new year?
When setting your 2022 goals, remember to be honest with yourself and leave judgment at the door. Remember that you are human, and the new year is a chance to restart and reignite aspirations, inspirations, and fulfill resolutions. Make your goals reasonable and achievable so that you don't get discouraged. When you're better able to break your resolutions down into everyday steps, you're better able to achieve them and see your progress. If you shoot too high, you might not be able to meet your expectations and can result in abandoning your sobriety goals.
Maintaining successful recovery requires addressing every element of your life. Many individuals resolve to quit drugs and alcohol in the new year, but it’s a challenge without the proper goals and motivation set in place. Getting or staying sober requires vigilance in physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
Goal setting requires a measure of realism and specific details. You want to stay sober, get sober, or maintain your sobriety on a reasonable time scale. Keeping your goals begins with honesty with yourself. If you are honest and upfront with your objectives and purposes, they are more achievable and realistic. Planning according to your ability, timescale, and level of accountability will help you improve your self-worth, levels of positivity, and motivation for current and future experiences.
Once you set yourself up for success by being honest and setting realistic goals for the year, now you must consider how you will manage them throughout the year. While you can’t change previous experiences and situations, you can adjust what you’re doing now and plan for the future. The first step to managing your new year goal is to remember why you are doing it and to take it one day at a time. Every day, you must make decisions that lead you toward your goals.
Next, consider what you can do on a day-to-day basis. For example, if you've made it a goal to find a new hobby for occupying your time, use every day to either discover different options, research how to start a certain hobby, attend a hobby club, or work on your new hobby project. Maybe you've decided you need to attend support groups more regularly. Make sure you attend your support group as often as you can, stay in contact with other people who attend, and keep up with any “homework” you receive from the group. Each day doesn't have to look the same, but you should work toward your goals little by little every day.
While you are considering different activities to do and have been honest with yourself by setting reasonable goals, you can allow yourself to move beyond and forgive yourself from past events. The new year is a good time to reaffirm that you are on a journey of a new lifestyle that will positively impact your outlook on life, increase your social awareness, and inspire those around you who struggle with similar circumstances.
Lastly, if you struggle with the challenges of maintaining your resolutions, make use of the support systems and the connections around you to help create a long-term plan that fits you and your path. The people around you want you to succeed and can help you do so when they know what you need.
A few new year’s goals to consider in 2022 include:
• Finding a relatable and quality sponsor
• Start a discussion with a therapist and a doctor
• Instill new spiritual habits
• Read more and get outside every day
• Learn more from others' stories through podcasts or articles
• Learn about others' goals and support systems to implement on your own
• Find a treatment center that offers transitional living that meets your needs
• Find activities that inspire you
• Reconnect with friends and family who will help support your recovery
• Maintain a sober friendly environment
• Inspire others who struggle with substance use
Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a cutting-edge treatment center like NorthStar Transitions who helps with ideal goal setting management.
Setting reasonable new year's resolutions can help you stay on the path to long-term sobriety. At NorthStar Transitions, we know how to help you implement a good foundation for goals and are here to help you manage them at any stage of your life. The new year is an excellent time to make a fresh start and set goals to keep you sober in recovery from addiction. Our highly trained and compassionate staff are here to help you set realistic goals and find a path towards a healthier future. If you or someone you love struggle with substance use, want to begin a new course of resolving negative habits, and are looking for a safe and peaceful environment to start doing so, we are here for you. For more information on our treatment programs or how to manage your goals for the new year, reach out to NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
