This list is not a joke, and it is not intended to mock 12 step groups. I bear the utmost respect for 12 step groups and their members. Here I have taken the format used by many of said groups and adjusted it to suit an issue that I believe is not only relevant, but common.

 13 steps to personal autonomy 

  1. I acknowledge that I am not powerless against our lives. 

  2. Came to believe that as a general fact of life, no power greater than myself could inflict its morals and beliefs on me without my consent.

  3. Made a decision to better myself for my own sake.

  4. Made a probing and fearless moral inventory of myself and of the authorities that rally for control over me came up with my own set of  morals, suited to myself personally. 

  5. Admitted to myself and to other human beings the brilliance of my strengths, and the exact nature of my wrongs.

  6. Were entirely ready to remove, or in some cases accept any defects of character.

  7. Humbly removed my shortcomings without the coercion of outside forces, using only my own morals and the appreciation for the values of respect and honesty.

  8. Made a mental list of those who have hurt me, and those who I have hurt.

  9. Made amends to such people and groups wherever possible, except where to do so would injure myself or others.

  10. Continued to take personal inventory and when I was wrong, promptly admitted it.
  11. Sought through careful reflection to improve my conscious contact with my desires, motives and goals with the intent of knowing myself  better and giving myself  the power to carry out my own true will.

  12. Having had a deep awakening as a result of these steps, I finally exercised our my will daily.

  13. I remember that only one person's opinion of my worth really matters: MY OWN.

 

Take me back!