New Year’s Intentions vs. New Year’s Resolutions

Resolutions

•       Resolutions, by definition, are resolute. They are concrete, absolute, “personal laws” that are placed upon ourselves.

•       Creating these “personal laws” in recovery (whether it’s substances or behaviors like emotional dependency) can create high expectations: (remember the saying,” high expectations can lead to premeditated resentments.”)

•       Having plans for recovery is important, but creating an absolute in recovery may lead to setbacks from stress, fear of failure, and desire for perfection. We thrive when focusing on progress vs. focusing on perfection, so for some, they may not work.

Intentions

•       An intention is a positive call to action about something you want to do rather than something you don’t want to do but feel that you “should.”

•       They are reasonable goals to be reached, transformation of mindset or attitude, and an intent for positive change.

•       If we stray from our positive intention, we can pause, reflect, and get back on track.

•       Intentions are a way to complement and help you progress on your personal healing and recovery journey.