Taking Personal Inventory

I’ve talked before about eating disorders as an addiction, and while I know there a myriad of feelings about the topic, I know the 12 step approach works for some people (myself included).

Research has long indicated that journaling is good for your mental health. If helps you review your goals, your strengths and weaknesses and helps you step back and reflect.

The danger of journaling is that you can get too wrapped up in your own head and addictive behaviors. If you use a journal to keep a detailed food diary or weight record, then it’s not useful.

My friends in recovery have recommended using a journal as a part of the recommendation to do the 10th step – taking a personal inventory-everyday.

The next material isn’t mine, but I share it with you as an encouragement to pick up pen and paper to make one step toward healing today.

10th Step Guidelines
It’s a good idea to start with a prayer. For example:

“God, please help me review my day. Please grant me the willingness to see what you would have me see, in the light you would have me see it: free from morbid reflection, fear, obsessive guilt, and dishonesty.”

The following guide is drawn verbatim from Alcoholics Anonymous (pp. 84-86):

1. Was I resentful?

2. Selfish?

3. Dishonest?

4. Afraid?

5. Do I owe an apology?

6. Have I kept something to myself which should be discussed with another person at once?

7. Was I kind and loving toward all?

8. What could I have done better?

9.Was I thinking of myself most of the time?

10. Or was I thinking of what I could do for others, what I could pack into the mainstream of life?

11. After making our review we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken.