(The 12 Steps Reimagined for Adult Children)
The 12 Protocols for Living were developed by, and for, the WeAgnostics community as a secular alternative to the original 12 Steps adopted by ACA.
After a recent revision, this version of the 12 Protocols for Living is available to the WeAgnostics community for comment and feedback.
If you have questions, comments, or concerns please contact us at: lit_committee@acaagnostica.org
The 12 Protocols for Living are copyrighted and licensed to the WeAgnostics Virtual Intergroup and if you would like to use them, please contact the Intergroup here.
- Years spent trying to control other people, places and things – to make ourselves feel safe and prove our worth – made us feel powerless; we were miserable.
- We came to believe in ourselves – who we are, what we want, the values important to us; it’s time to control what we can and let the rest take care of itself.
- Made a decision to be accountable for our own recovery. With increased awareness, we learn to trust ourselves, and others.
- We create a written account of our childhood experiences, both positive and negative; concentrating on those who impacted us and the stories we learned to tell ourselves.
- We share this account with another person, someone we trust who can provide clarity while creating space for new perspectives.
- We authentically list the behaviors we’ve used to keep ourselves emotionally safe.
- We challenge the stories we’ve told ourselves in order to author new thoughts, perspectives and behaviors.
- Accepting our childhood did not prepare us to meet our adult needs, we acknowledge we can learn to meet them today.
- Behaviors that do not serve us fall away as we make amends to ourselves by learning to treat ourselves, and others, with self-respect, love and compassion.
- With thoughtful consideration, we review our day and inventory behaviors we do not want to repeat and credit ourselves for the things we did well.
- We believe that healthy relationships (with ourselves and others) are essential for a fulfilling life, so we take time to build them through acceptance, respect, trust building and healthy communication.
- As we recognize profound changes in our lives, we sustain them by sharing what we’ve learned with those who still struggle.
Copyright 2024 – Julianne V / licensed to WeAgnostics Virtual Intergroup