Rule 62

In the world of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Rule 62 is a legendary bit of wisdom that simply says:

“Don’t take yourself too damn seriously.”

It originated from a humorous and humbling story: a group in West Virginia once tried to create an elaborate recovery center with all the bells and whistles—hospital, rehab, research, the works. They sent a long list of rules (61 of them!) to AA’s headquarters for feedback. The response? A gentle nudge that maybe they were overcomplicating things. Eventually, the group mailed out a card labeled “Rule 62” to AA groups across the country. Inside, it read that now-famous line2.

🌱 What Rule 62 Really Means

• Stay humble: Recovery is serious, but ego can be a trap.

• Keep perspective: Laughter and lightness are part of healing.

• Avoid rigidity: Flexibility and openness often lead to better outcomes.

• Connect with others: Humor builds community and eases tension.

It’s a reminder that even in the most challenging journeys—like recovery—there’s room for grace, humor, and a little self-deprecation. Honestly, it’s not bad advice for life in general.

Want to hear how people apply Rule 62 outside of AA? Or maybe how it fits into the broader 12-step philosophy?

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Awesome! Let’s zoom out from AA for a second and look at how Rule 62—“Don’t take yourself too damn seriously”—has found its way into everyday life and broader recovery culture:

🌍 Beyond AA: Rule 62 in Daily Life

Rule 62 has become a kind of unofficial mantra for people who want to stay grounded, especially in high-stress or high-stakes environments. Here’s how it shows up:

• In the workplace: Leaders and teams use it to foster humility, reduce ego clashes, and keep meetings from turning into power plays.

• In relationships: It’s a reminder to laugh at ourselves, let go of perfectionism, and not turn every disagreement into a crisis.

• In parenting: Kids are messy, unpredictable, and hilarious. Rule 62 helps parents embrace the chaos with humor instead of frustration.

• In creative work: Artists, writers, and performers often use it to push past fear of failure and just make stuff—even if it’s weird or imperfect.

🧘 In the 12-Step Philosophy

Rule 62 isn’t one of the official 12 Steps or 12 Traditions, but it’s deeply aligned with their spirit:

• Step 7 (Humility): Rule 62 is humility in action—recognizing we’re not the center of the universe.

• Tradition 4 (Autonomy): The original Rule 62 story is actually used to illustrate this tradition, showing what happens when a group overreaches.

• Step 10 (Continued self-inventory): Taking ourselves less seriously helps us admit when we’re wrong without shame or defensiveness.

💡 Modern Wisdom with a Wink

Think of Rule 62 as the spiritual cousin of:

• “Keep it simple.”

• “Progress, not perfection.”

• “Laugh so you don’t cry.”

It’s a gentle nudge to lighten up, especially when we’re tempted to spiral into control, ego, or self-importance.