Resolutions: friend or foe for your recovery?

Published 2 days ago • 1 min read

Hi Reader,

Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions — those shiny promises we make on January 1st when motivation is high and the coffee is strong. They can be great… but they can also be a trap.

The pros?
Resolutions give structure, hope, and a sense of direction. They help us name what we want and take a step toward it. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger or setting a fresh intention.

The cons?
Resolutions often come with pressure. Big, unrealistic goals can trigger shame when life gets messy — and that shame can fuel old coping habits. “Start over on Monday” becomes “start over next year,” and that’s not helpful for anyone.

So here’s a middle path:
Instead of one big resolution, choose one small, doable shift you can practice daily or weekly. Something that builds momentum without setting you up for burnout. Tiny habits create real change — and they don’t care what the calendar says.

Whether you make a resolution or skip the whole thing, choose what supports your mental health the most.

With you as we step into a new year,

Duane

Men's Shame to Resilience Workshop

Healing your relationship after intimate betrayal is the most challenging path you can take, and shame is the underlying issue. If you want to heal your relationships, you must understand shame.

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