The Silent Saboteur: How Inaction Breeds Injustice in Recovery and Life

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’ll sort it out tomorrow”? I know I have. It’s a tempting thought, isn’t it? Putting off the hard stuff, convincing ourselves that inaction is harmless. But here’s the catch: doing nothing can be just as harmful as doing the wrong thing especially when it comes to our sobriety and personal growth.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, stumbling through my journey of recovery and self-improvement. It’s a bit like that old saying about evil triumphing when good people do nothing. Except in this case, it’s not some external evil we’re fighting — it’s our own demons, our own complacency.

The Deceptive Comfort of Inaction

Let’s face it: doing nothing is easy. It’s comfortable. It doesn’t ruffle any feathers or upset the status quo. But that comfort is a trap, a siren song luring us towards stagnation and, ultimately, regression.

I remember a time when I convinced myself that not drinking was enough. I wasn’t actively seeking out alcohol, so I thought I was doing great. But I wasn’t addressing the underlying issues that led me to drink in the first place. I wasn’t working on myself or challenging my thought patterns or behaviours. I was sober (temporarily), sure, but I wasn’t growing. And inevitably, this stagnation led me back to drinking. Without addressing the root causes and actively working on my recovery, I found myself slipping back into old habits, proving that mere abstinence wasn’t sufficient for lasting change.

Dr. Seuss wisely said, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” We possess the power to chart our course in life. It’s not just about having the tools (our brains and feet) but also about recognising our ability to use them effectively. I had the power to change, improve, and address my issues head-on. But I chose inaction, and in doing so, I was committing an injustice against myself.

The Ripple Effect of Our (In)Actions

Here’s something that took me far too long to realise: our actions — or lack thereof — don’t just affect us. They ripple out, touching the lives of those around us. When we choose inaction in our recovery, we’re not just letting ourselves down. We’re potentially hurting our loved ones, our communities, and even strangers we’ve never met.

Think about it. When we’re not actively working on our sobriety, we’re more likely to slip up. And those slip-ups can have devastating consequences. We might lash out at loved ones, make poor decisions at work, or even put others in danger if we decide to drive under the influence.

Epictetus once said, “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” If we want to be sober, responsible members of society, we can’t just say it. We have to do it. Every. Single. Day.

The Illusion of Neutrality

One of the most insidious lies we tell ourselves is that by doing nothing, we’re staying neutral. Sure, we’re not making things better, but we’re not making them worse either, right? Wrong.

In recovery, as in life, there’s no such thing as standing still. We’re either moving forward or sliding backwards. When we choose inaction, we’re choosing regression. We’re allowing old habits and thought patterns to reassert themselves, slowly but surely eroding the progress we’ve made.

Seneca, that old Roman stoic, had something to say about this: “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” By not daring to take action or challenging ourselves to grow and improve, we’re making our journey of recovery infinitely more difficult.

The Courage to Act

So, what’s the alternative? It’s simple but not easy: we must act. We must make conscious daily choices to support our sobriety and personal growth. This might mean attending meetings even when we don’t feel like it, reaching out to a sponsor when we’re struggling, or challenging ourselves to face the uncomfortable truths about our past behaviours.

I’ve found that the hardest step is often the first one. It’s scary to break out of our comfort zone and confront our issues head-on. But it’s also incredibly empowering. Each time we choose action over inaction, we’re reaffirming our commitment to our recovery and our future selves.

As Viktor Frankl wisely observed, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” We can’t always control our circumstances; we have the power to control our reactions. Choosing thoughtful action over passive inaction opens the door to personal growth and positive change.

The Daily Choice

Recovery isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a choice we make every single day. Some days, it feels effortless. On other days, it’s a monumental struggle. But every day, we have the opportunity to choose action over inaction.

For me, this means starting each day with a simple question: “What can I do today to support my sobriety and personal growth?” Sometimes, the answer is big — like deciding to start therapy or mend a broken relationship. Other times, it’s small — like meditating for five minutes or reading a recovery-focused book chapter. (The Daily Stoic has become my daily read.)

The size of the action doesn’t matter as much as the fact that we’re choosing to act. As Epictetus said, “Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.” By taking action, no matter how small, we’re embodying our commitment to recovery and growth.

The Path Forward

So, where do we go from here? How do we break the cycle of inaction and start moving forward? Here are a few strategies that have worked for me:

1. Start small: Don’t try to overhaul your entire life overnight. Choose one small action you can take today to support your recovery.
2. Be consistent: Taking small actions consistently is better than making grand gestures sporadically.
3. Reflect regularly: Take time daily to reflect on your actions (or inactions) and their consequences.
4. Seek support: Don’t try to go it alone. When you're struggling, reach out to sponsors, therapists, or supportive friends. 
5. Practice self-compassion: Remember, we’re all human. If you slip up, don’t beat yourself up. Learn from it and move forward.

As we embark on this journey of active recovery, it’s important to remember the words of Seneca: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” By choosing action over inaction, we’re preparing ourselves for a better future. We’re creating our own luck.

You can also drop me an email. State if you want a response or just want to vent. reachout@soberstoics.com

The Reward of Action

I won’t lie to you — choosing action over inaction isn’t always easy. There are days when it feels like an uphill battle when the comfort of doing nothing seems overwhelmingly tempting. But I can tell you from [my limited] experience that the rewards of action far outweigh the temporary comfort of inaction.

When we choose to act, to engage actively with our recovery and personal growth, we’re not just avoiding injustice. We’re creating justice. We’re creating a better world for ourselves and those around us. We’re living up to our potential, fulfilling the promise we made to ourselves when we first chose sobriety.

As Marcus Aurelius wisely said, “What stands in the way becomes the way.” The challenges we face, the temptations to remain inactive — these aren’t obstacles to our recovery. They’re opportunities for growth, chances to prove to ourselves just how strong and resilient we truly are.

Challenge yourself

So, I challenge you — and myself — to choose action today. To recognise that inaction is not neutrality, but a form of injustice against ourselves and others. To embrace the discomfort of growth and change, knowing that on the other side lies a stronger, more fulfilled version of ourselves.

Remember, every journey begins with a single step. What step will you take today?

In the words of Epictetus, “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” Let’s be the change we want to see in ourselves. Let’s choose action, growth, and justice. Let’s choose life.

Author’s Note: This post was born from a moment of profound reflection. After attending my first AA meeting, I found myself drinking on the walk home. It was a stark reminder of the challenges ahead but also a catalyst for change. This experience became the seed from which this blog grew. It was the first time I wrote something down. I’ve edited it and updated it a bit to make it more readable…I hope.