Happy New Year and welcome to 2020 and the dawn of a new decade! We will see this year more clearly and perfectly than ever before! That sounds a bit impressive and a bit scary.
It also may make us pause and reflect on the previous decade and where we are at, what we have accomplished, and where we fell short of our expectations. It’s easy for us in recovery to get caught up in feelings of inadequacy – not being good enough or not living up to others’ expectations of us.
It’s imperative as we move forward, therefore, to focus on the little things that can help us manage the big things. Small steps lead to bigger accomplishments.
1.Start Small Find one small change in behavior that you are willing to make. Perhaps you want to cut down on the amount that you are drinking or using. Maybe you will consider using only on the weekends so your job isn’t as clearly affected. Perhaps your goal is to get physically healthy by cutting down on something you struggle with, such as pop or candy. Make that important appointment that you’ve been putting off.
2. Allow Room for Mistakes This is a part of recovery in anything: drug/alcohol use, diet, behavioral changes, etc. Don’t beat yourself up for missteps or mistakes. Get back on the right road, brush yourself off and keep going.
3. Include Others Reach out to others for conversation, a brief chat, a cup of coffee. We need others. It helps curb isolation and loneliness.
4. Count Your Blessings Every Day Find one thing – more is even better – to be thankful and grateful for each day. Say them out loud. Say them again.
5. Take Responsibility for Your Actions Take one small step to address personal responsibility each day. Do you worry too much about your life? About others? About your job? About health issues? Have you been procrastinating on an important action? The cumulative effect of taking one small step daily to address life issues will be noticeable in no time.
Don’t become so focused on the past that you forget where you are going. Forward. Into the New Year… a new decade with greater focus and clarity.
— Shelly Petrik – Recovery CR Executive Director