The Secret about Relapse

Relapses often have a negative reputation, but they are actually a normal part of the process of change.

While we'd prefer to avoid setbacks, theory and research show that they happen more often than we like to admit. So, if lapses in judgment are inevitable, how can we use them to our advantage?

Each time you fall back into old habits or safety mechanisms that don’t align with your values or goals, it provides a valuable opportunity to learn. It helps you understand how to better sustain change and reduce the likelihood of future relapses.

So, the next time you feel bad and think you should have gotten it right the first time, instead of beating yourself up, take a moment to reflect on where things went wrong. Then, create a plan to tackle that obstacle better next time.