How to do a nightly inventory before bed

Short answer: a nightly inventory is a quick, honest review of your day right before sleep. Ask yourself a handful of yes-or-no questions about resentment, selfishness, dishonesty, fear and kindness, note anything that needs action, and write one thing you will do better tomorrow. Two minutes, every night.

The questions most people use

Many people in 12-step recovery build their nightly review around questions like these (written in our own words):

Was I resentful toward anyone today?
Was I selfish or self-seeking?
Was I dishonest, even in small ways?
Did I act out of fear?
Do I owe anyone an apology?
Am I keeping something to myself that I should talk over with someone soon?
Was I kind and loving toward the people around me?
Did I think about what I could do for others today?
Did I reach out to someone in recovery?
Did I make time for prayer, meditation or quiet reflection?

How to answer honestly

Answer yes or no first, then add a note only if something comes to mind. The yes/no forces a decision; the note gives context.
Look for patterns, not a grade. A nightly score can feel like judgment; noticing that resentment showed up four nights this week is more useful.
Finish with gratitude and a plan: three things you are grateful for and one concrete thing you will do tomorrow, such as calling someone to make an amends.

Keeping the habit

Do it at the same time every night, in bed if that is where you will actually do it.
Make it impossible to lose: an inventory that disappears when you get interrupted is one you stop doing.
Share it with your sponsor when you want accountability.

Doing it in Hushten

Pick a review time in Settings; Hushten reminds you once at that time.
Tap Start tonight's review. One question per screen, big Yes and No buttons in the same place every time.
Each answer saves the moment you tap it. Interrupted? Open the app and tap Continue.
On the last page add gratitude and tomorrow's plan, then Save tonight. Send it to your sponsor as plain text if you like.

Hushten is an independent journaling app, not affiliated with or endorsed by Alcoholics Anonymous or any 12-step fellowship. This guide is not medical advice; if you are in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line.

FAQ

How long should a nightly inventory take?

Two to ten minutes is enough for most people. A short honest review every night beats a long one you skip.

Should I write it down or just think it through?

Writing makes it harder to fudge an answer and lets you look back later. A yes-or-no format with an optional note keeps it fast enough to do every night.

What if I answer yes to a lot of questions?

That is the point of the review, not a failure. Note what happened, consider whether you owe an amends, and write one thing you will do differently tomorrow.

← See Hushten: your nightly inventory, one question at a time