New Year’s Resolutions in Eating Disorder Recovery
With the new year approaching, toxic diet culture narratives often become louder. New Year’s resolutions are frequently tied to health or fitness goals that can feel rigid and promote all-or-nothing thinking. For those in eating disorder recovery, this language can be especially triggering, making it difficult not to feel pulled toward setting a resolution that undermines healing. Below are a few ways to reframe New Year’s resolutions so they truly support your recovery, grounded in self-compassion and self-trust, and encourage meaningful personal growth without centering diet culture.
Avoid diet- or exercise-focused resolutions. These types of goals often fuel hyperfixation and perfectionism around food and movement. Rather than setting rigid resolutions, use ongoing sessions with your dietitian and treatment team to establish recovery-focused goals that support a more balanced and sustainable relationship with food and movement throughout the year.
Choose goals that support your mental health or bring joy into your life. This might include exploring a new hobby (such as crocheting or puzzles), setting a reading goal or experimenting with a new genre, or starting a gratitude journal to help cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion.
Keep goals flexible and avoid rigidity. Goals are meant to feel supportive and uplifting, not stressful! If you notice pressure or anxiety creeping in, pause and reassess. Consider softening the goal, adjusting expectations, or reframing it in a way that feels more compassionate and realistic.
Limit comparison and protect your peace. This time of year is often filled with diet-culture-driven conversations around resolutions. To reduce exposure to triggering messages, consider taking a break from social media and setting clear boundaries around conversations with friends or family that don’t align with your recovery or well-being.
Happy New Year from ATX Nutritional Counseling! We are deeply grateful for the incredible clients and families who made this past year so meaningful. Thank you for trusting us to walk alongside you as you work toward healing your relationship with food. Whether you are in recovery and seeking additional support or looking to improve your relationship with food, our team is here for you. Visit the link below to schedule an appointment.