As we stand on the cusp of a new year, it’s a familiar chorus: New Year, New You. Yet, for those on the path of eating disorder recovery, the clamor of diet culture that accompanies January 1st can be triggering and counterproductive. With their firm demands for change, resolutions often miss the mark and lack room for growth and self-acceptance. The power of intentions over resolutions can be so healing in recovery.
Why Resolutions Might Not Serve Recovery
The very essence of a resolution, defined as a firm decision to do or not do something, can be a trap. Manifesting change, especially amid the struggles of eating disorders, is rarely as straightforward as identifying what we don’t want to do and deciding firmly to do the opposite. Resolutions are often riddled with self-improvement demands, carrying a punitive tone that may exacerbate the shame and blame inherent in the recovery journey.
The Power of Intentions in Recovery
Consider reframing the concept of resolution from a firm decision to expressing your intention. Intentions, purposeful and mindful, consistently bring our focus back toward our truest aims. They ask us to stay aware moment-to-moment in a fully present way, devoid of timelines and deadlines that often breed feelings of failure.
As we embark on this new year, I wanted to share a brief intention-setting guide. Below you can find questions, some tips, and a step-by-step guide on how to create a powerful recovery-focused intention. Use this as part of your eating disorder recovery journaling practice too.
A Four-Step Intention Setting Process
Step 1: Reflect on Your Recovery Journey
Take a moment to look back on your recovery journey. What progress have you made? What challenges have you overcome? Reflecting on your journey can help you identify areas of strength and resilience.
Step 2: Clarify Your Recovery Values
Define the values that are most important to you in your recovery. These could include self-compassion, acceptance, and building a positive relationship with your body. Understanding your values will guide your intentions toward a more fulfilling recovery.
Step 3: Set Positive Intentions
Create positive intentions that align with your recovery values. These affirmations should resonate with your aspirations for a healthier mindset and lifestyle. For example, if your value is self-compassion, your affirmation could be, “I treat myself with kindness and understanding throughout my recovery journey.”
Step 4: Connect with Supportive Practices
Identify practices that support your recovery intentions. This could involve mindfulness exercises, self-care routines, or engaging in activities that bring you joy. Integrating these practices into your daily life will reinforce your intentions and contribute to a holistic recovery.
Guiding Questions for Your Intention Journey:
What values are most important to you in your life, and how do you want to embody these values in the coming year?
What does a meaningful and purposeful life look like for you?
In what areas of your life do you feel there is room for growth or improvement, and how do these align with your core values?
What positive affirmations resonate with your values and aspirations, and How can you incorporate these affirmations into your daily life?
What activities or pursuits ignite a sense of passion and purpose in you, and how can you incorporate more of these into your daily or weekly routine?
How can you cultivate mindfulness in your daily life, and what practices align with your values for mindful living
Tips for Using the Power of Intentions in Recovery:
Release Pressure: Don’t feel the need to have the entire year figured out on January 1.
Embrace Feelings: Focus on how you want to feel as a result of this change.
Growth Mindset: Approach intention-setting from a growth mindset, acknowledging your ability to grow and develop through hard work and good strategies.
Kind Intentions: Set intentions that are kind and achievable, like gifts you want to give yourself.
Be Specific: Specificity increases the chances of success.
As we embark on a new year, let’s not succumb to the pressures of resolutions that demand change at the expense of self-acceptance. Instead, let’s set intentions that serve as guiding lights, fostering growth and mindfulness in every moment.