Some New Year‘s resolutions can save your life

Some of the most challenging resolutions are the ones orientated to changing behaviours, especially if they have been quite repetitive and have become part of ourselves. After working in the field of addiction for a number of years, I have come to learn that having the willingness and motivation to make a change is only the start for a successful change.

I believe that most humans want to improve their lives and achieve happiness but this is not always an easy road and sometimes it appears that everything we do is orientated to achieve the opposite. For instance think about how many times you have decided on doing something that you think will improve your life, like eating healthier or starting some physical activity but somehow along the way you stop or reduce the frequency or dedication you initially had when you started this goal. This does not mean that you stop wanting to achieve this change but things happened and they become an obstacle or sometimes an excuse to continue working on that goal. Imagine if on the top of it you have an addiction that is dragging you in the opposite direction to what you know you need to do to feel better, this will make it 10 times more difficult to achieve.

Addictions can be consuming and debilitating and willingness and motivation can be transformed into despair and frustration. I would like to share this article published in The Age on 31/12/2016 http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-summer-i--spent-new-years-eve-in-drug-detox-20161222-gtgrns.html The author describes her struggles with addictions as she is trying to help herself with appropriate treatment and the opposite forces she encounters as she is starting her way to recovery. This is a successful story and highlights the ongoing effort and work to get to the other end.
Whatever your New Year‘s resolutions is, it has the potential to change your life in a positive way. Remember that you need to want it first but if it is getting too hard to achieve, you may need professional help to move forward.
Motivation, Willingness, Strategies, Support (emotional and professional) and Courage make a better recipe for long lasting change. 

Claudina Garcia
Psychologist- Director
Psychologists’ Corner