When working on the Step 8 worksheet, it's important to approach it with an open and honest mindset. Make sure to not minimize your faults or failures by focusing on the faults of others, and also recognize that you've hurt others as well as yourself with your drinking. When looking beyond our obvious defects and doing a thorough examination of our flaws, we must avoid judgments of others.
The purpose of Step 8 is to help individuals confront the ripple effects of their past actions. It encourages a proactive approach by providing individuals with a comprehensive list of those they've harmed. This list acts as a roadmap for the coming steps and prepares individuals emotionally and mentally for the reparative actions that lie ahead.
When making amends, focus on making things right rather than just avoiding making mistakes. This means recognizing the harm you've done in a way that acknowledges your fault and need for amends. If you identify a harm that you are unwilling to amends for, it's important to confront this issue with yourself and explore why you've been avoiding it. Remember, making mistakes is a natural part of growth, and the steps we take to address our mistakes can also help us grow and improve as individuals.
It's also helpful to make notes next to some of the entries in your worksheet. For example, you could write down something you value about a person next to their name, or you could write a prayer or spiritual excerpt next to a harm you've caused. This can help remind you that the spirit of Step 8 extends beyond forgiveness and includes compassion, honesty, humility, and other qualities built up in previous steps.
Make sure to take your time when making your list. It may take some time to reflect on your past actions and identify the people you've harmed. Don't be afraid to include yourself in your list, as acknowledging the self-harm you've caused and wanting to heal is an important part of Step 8.
Once you've made a thorough list, it can be helpful to categorize it into categories. These can include amends to make now (now that you've reached sobriety), partial amends (so as to avoid harm or injury to others), amends to make later, and amends that may never be made. This can take some time to finish, and not everyone may need to go through all the categories. It's important to be patient with yourself and take the time you need to complete the step.
