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Mindfulness and the 12 Steps: A Path to Deeper Recovery (Steps, 1, 2, and 3)
Mindfulness helps us pause before reacting, observe our thoughts without judgment, and recognize emotional patterns that once drove addictive behaviors. The 12 Steps offer a powerful spiritual framework for recovery, guiding us through surrender, self-examination, amends, and service. When paired with mindfulness—the practice of being fully present with acceptance—we gain deeper insight into each step and more compassion for ourselves along the way.
Here is how I look at the first 3 steps:
Step 1
Mindfully looking at how powerlessness and unmanageability show up.
Step 2
Asking what sort of Higher Power I can connect with? Then I become aware of physical/mental reactions to this exploration.
Step 3
Letting my Higher Power care for me and guide my life through the connection I’m practicing making each day. I consciously make time and space for this connection.
Mindfulness helps me to become more rooted in my recovery and with the first 3 steps as I become more aware of attitudes, actions, and behaviors during my moments of pause.
How does this land for you? We would love to hear from you! 😊 👇
I remember when I first walked into mindfulness-in-recovery, the world around me felt noisy and scattered: thoughts racing, emotions unsteady, clarity nowhere to be found. Over time, the breathing exercises and gentle yoga began to quiet the noise — like a soft exhale after holding my breath too long. Through that calm, I realised there was a whole different kind of healing happening: not just about sobriety, but about restoring coherence in my mind, in my story, in how I express myself. That inner quiet helped me reflect more clearly on my experiences and eventually find purpose beyond survival. I now put that same care into medical publication editing support: helping authors bring clarity and compassion into technical medical writing, smoothing rough edges so their message lands with integrity and heart.