Taking Inventory: The Courage to Look Within

October brings with it two important reminders: World Mental Health Month and Sober October. Both invite us to pause, reflect, and consider how we’re living. In the 12 Steps, October aligns with Step 10: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” This step is not just about staying sober—it’s about staying honest, accountable, and mentally clear. It’s about taking stock each day so that unresolved feelings don’t pile up and weigh us down.

My First Encounter with Inventory

I still remember my first attempts at doing a personal inventory during treatment. At the beginning, my entries were nothing more than one-liners, thin and surface-level, with little substance. But even those one-liners forced me to sit with myself, to look at what was going on inside instead of running from it.

I still keep those old inventories from almost eight years ago. Looking back at them now, I see how they captured not just the mess, but also the progress. They showed me where I was being dishonest with myself and where I was holding onto things that weren’t mine to carry. And they highlighted the small victories—the ones that often go unnoticed in the chaos of early recovery.

Inventory, for me, became a way of drawing a line in the sand between what belonged to me and what didn’t. It was about learning to take responsibility for my actions, without drowning under the weight of everything else.

What Inventory Really Shows Us

Doing inventory is not always pretty. In fact, there were plenty of times I cringed at what I had to write down. But that’s the point. It isn’t about writing only the good—it’s about facing the uncomfortable truths. Sometimes my behavior wasn’t kind. Sometimes I acted out of fear, pride, or ego. Seeing it on paper made it harder to deny.

But inventory also gave me something I didn’t expect: perspective. I could see the small, steady changes from month to month. A little more honesty here. A little more self-control there. Progress wasn’t always dramatic, but it was real. And over time, those tiny shifts added up to something bigger: growth.

The Cost of Avoiding It

I’ll be honest—there were times when I let personal inventory slip. I put it on the back seat, convinced I was fine. But the truth? When I didn’t take stock, feelings piled up. Resentments carried over from one day into the next, and before long, I was sitting on a mountain of unresolved emotions. It was like hoarding—mess building on mess, until it felt overwhelming and unmanageable.

Recovery is hard enough without carrying yesterday’s baggage into today. That’s why Step 10 matters. It’s about clearing out the clutter regularly, so you don’t end up buried beneath it.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Through practicing inventory, I learned three powerful lessons:

·       Self-love: I had to learn to be gentle with myself, even when what I saw wasn’t flattering.

·      Self-respect: Taking ownership of my actions gave me dignity, even when I had to admit

I was wrong.

·     Self-forgiveness: Recovery isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Letting go of shame was part of moving forward.

Inventory also helped me in relationships. When I could admit my wrongs and own my part, it became easier to make amends and rebuild trust. It wasn’t always instant or easy, but honesty opened the door.

How It Evolves Over Time

In treatment, inventory meant journaling every day. Now, nearly eight years later, I don’t write it down anymore. Instead, it’s become part of my nightly routine. When I lie in bed and the world is quiet, I run through my day in my head. I look at where I fell short, where I did well, and what I want to do differently tomorrow. It’s second nature now—like brushing my teeth.

That’s the thing about recovery practices: they evolve. What starts as an exercise in treatment can become a habit that grounds you for life.

Why Inventory Matters for Mental Health

This month, as we focus on mental health awareness, it’s worth remembering that personal inventory is not just a “recovery thing.” It’s a human thing. Reflection is how we prevent emotional clutter from becoming overwhelming. It’s how we stay clear, honest, and present.

Unresolved feelings left unchecked can fuel anxiety, depression, or resentment. But regular reflection—whether it’s journaling, prayer, meditation, or simply lying in bed and reviewing your day—creates space for healing. It’s like airing out a room that’s been shut too long. Suddenly, you can breathe again.

A Practical Guide: How to Take Daily Inventory

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some simple questions to ask yourself at the end of each day:

1.    Where was I honest today? Where was I not?

2.    Did I act with kindness and respect toward myself and others?

3.    Is there something I need to make right?

4.    What small victory am I proud of today?

5.    What can I do differently tomorrow?

Keep it simple. Keep it honest. The point isn’t to shame yourself—it’s to learn, grow, and reset.

Watch: Taking Daily Inventory for Recovery and Growth

To explore this concept more deeply, watch this insightful talk:

This video offers practical guidance on how daily self-reflection can strengthen recovery and improve mental wellbeing — aligning perfectly with the theme of Sober October and World Mental Health Month.

Closing Reflection

Recovery doesn’t end when you walk out of treatment—it starts there. And it takes work. Real work. Setbacks will happen, mistakes will be made, and inventories won’t always look great. But that’s okay. Each inventory is an opportunity. Not to be perfect, but to be real. Not to get stuck in failure, but to notice where change is needed and choose differently.

Eight years later, I can say with confidence: personal inventory works. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me honest. And most importantly, it keeps me moving forward without shame.

This October, as we honor mental health and the courage of Sober October, let’s remember that recovery is built one reflection at a time. One day, one choice, one inventory. And each time we take stock, we give ourselves the gift of growth and freedom.