A New You in a New Year!
Embracing Recovery in 2024
Moving into 2024, the air is filled with a sense of renewal for great things yet to come. For many, the arrival of a new year marks not just the beginning of another year but the opportunity for a fresh start – a chance to embrace a new version of ourselves. “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right” – Oprah Winfrey.
A new year gives you a chance to begin something important, like starting a recovery program or thinking about all the good things you’ve done. Take this opportunity to make new strategies for the coming months, figuring out how you want to keep moving forward in your recovery journey.
Some people might decide to do things that make them feel healthier and happier, like being outside more, exercising, spending time with family and friends, going to more support group meetings or finding other pathways to get together with people who know what if feels like to be a person in recovery. It’s important to talk to people who understand recovery, share stories, and cheer each other on.
Before jumping into the future, take a little time to think about what has happened, look back at fun times or tricky situations and ask yourself what you think or feel about those times. Take some time to look at how strong you were and how you got past what felt like blocks in your pathway to recovery. Your strength and “I can” attitude will help you move forward with a strong recovery program.
It’s important to set goals and be honest with yourself. Rome wasn’t built in a day, your road to recovery can be small steps to doing better. Setting goals is a great way to find success. Think about using colorful building blocks to represent your recovery. Imagine you have three types of blocks: A red one for your body, a blue one for your feelings and a yellow one for your friends and family.
When we talk about the health of your body, it’s like building a tower with the red blocks. Maybe you start by eating healthy fruits and veggies or doing outdoor activities to make your body strong. Each time you eat something healthy or do something outside, you add a red block to your recovery tower.
Mental well-being is like building with blue blocks. This is about feeling happy and calm, so when you talk about your feelings or do something that makes you feel happy, add blue blocks to your recovery tower.
Fixing relationships is like building with yellow blocks. Family, friends and meetings are super important.
This step-by-step approach means you’re not trying to build the whole tower at once. You start by adding one block at a time, maybe a red one for eating healthy, a blue one for talking about your feelings and a yellow one for attending meetings. Each small step you take adds a block to your tower, and over time, you will see a big, colorful tower that represents your recovery.
Mind and body are not separate systems. What affects one affects the other in sometimes unexpected ways.
Gabor Mate
Working a recovery program can be challenging in everyday life, it’s kind of like putting a puzzle together, when you figure it out, you’ve solved a piece of your life’s puzzle. Remember facing challenges will help you grow smarter, stronger, and braver.
In 2024 There are resources to support your journey towards a healthier and happier you. Let’s explore some tools that you can add to your toolbox that will help you navigate the twists and turns of your road to recovery.
Emergency Contacts and Hotlines: Knowing who to reach out to in difficult times or emergency situations is a must have in your toolbox. Write down names and phone numbers.
Fitness and Health Apps: Your body is closely tied to mental and emotional health. Fitness and health apps can help you set a routine that supports your overall recovery. Try some workout apps, a food tracker, or a step counter to help you stay on track every day.
Goal-Tracking Apps: Setting and achieving goals is a key part of the recovery process. Goal tracking apps help you stay organized and motivated. You can break down larger goals into smaller ones. Try apps like: HabitBull or Strides.
Mindfulness and Meditation Apps: Many apps (like Headspace or Calm) offer guided sessions to help you relax.
Online Support Groups: Connecting with others who understand recovery can be helpful. Video calls or support groups using platforms like Zoom are easy to attend as long as you have a smart phone, tablet or a computer. These can be a safe place to share experiences, gain insights and receive encouragement.
Positive-Affirmation Apps: Positive affirmations not only help to make major shifts in your mindset they also serve as prompts and daily reminders on what you are truly capable of, making sure you have an amazing day, every day. Try apps like: I am and Shine.
Recovery Podcasts: Podcasts can be a powerful way to gain insight, advice and listen to people in recovery share their experience, faith, strength and hope. Try podcasts like: The Addicted Mind or Breaking Free: Your Recovery, Your Way.
You might be surprised with the twists and turns that your recovery can take, but remember, with the right tools, you can find your way as you travel your road to recovery.
Wishing You a Successful Recovery in 2024!
