What is a moral inventory?

A moral inventory is a list of decisions (big or small) you’ve made in your life and how you feel about them afterwards. The goal of a moral inventory is to be brutally honest with yourself. Writing a moral inventory should force you to reflect on what you’ve done well in life so far, and what you’ve done poorly.

Why would I write a moral inventory?

Because it makes you see yourself more clearly. I view a moral inventory as a kind of mirror that allows you to reflect on what you’re doing well and what you’d like to improve.

What’s mine?

I’m hesitant to share this publically since I think moral inventories are meant for private improvement, not public consumption. But in the hopes of being honest with myself (and also because I don’t think it’s very likely anyone will ever read this) here goes:

decisions i am proud of:

• apologizing to Lauren and Mom in college
• breaking up with Abby
• teaching myself programming
• breaking up with Hannah :/
• going to Europe a couple summers ago and just having a blast
• reading every day
• going to therapy in high school
• staying in contact with Coop
• staying in contact with Erik
• taking drugs
• staying in shape

decisions i regret:

• turning on Mihai after I was uncomfortable during halloween without ever explaining why
• calling the dragonboat instructor something like an oceanic gordon ramsey, it was a bad joke
• not travelling abroad during school
• the way things ended with Erin
• dating Kendall immediately after breaking up with Abby
• letting my clarinet skills get rusty
• general fiscal irresponsibility
• making fun of Erik
• not stretching

5-16-2025 update

I’m glad I wrote this.