Is the nightly review step 10 or step 11?

Short answer: both, depending on who you ask. Step 10 is about continuing to take personal inventory and promptly admitting when you are wrong. The bedtime look back over the day is often described in the literature next to step 11's evening reflection. In everyday recovery language, most people just call it their nightly inventory or their 10th step.

Step 10 in practice

Spot checks during the day, the moment something bothers you.
Promptly admitting when you are wrong and making amends quickly.
Keeping an eye out for resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and fear.

The evening review in practice

A few minutes before sleep to look back over the whole day.
Asking whether you owe an apology or are holding something you should talk over with someone.
Noticing what you did well, and what you could do better tomorrow.

Why the label matters less than the habit

Some reviewers of nightly inventory apps point out that the questions really belong to step 11. That is a fair reading. What matters is that you do both: catch things as they happen during the day, and close each day with an honest look back. Ask your sponsor how your group talks about it.

How Hushten handles both

Spot checks for the day: what happened, what came up, my part, the next right thing.
A nightly review with yes-or-no questions you can edit, plus gratitude and a plan for tomorrow.
A journal and patterns view that shows both together.

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

So is a nightly inventory step 10 or step 11?

Both, in practice. Step 10 is the habit of continuing to take inventory; the end-of-day review is commonly described alongside step 11's evening reflection. Most members simply call it their nightly inventory.

Do I need both a spot check and a nightly review?

Many people use both: spot checks during the day as things happen, and a short review at night to look at the whole day.

Which questions should I use?

Use the ones your sponsor or group suggests. In Hushten you can turn the default questions on or off and add your own.

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