Cutting Back On The Costly

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

I read a great minimalist book a year or two ago that really helped me keep down on the clutter. It had a great rule: if it’s less than $20 and you haven’t used it in a while ask yourself if it’s truly need. It’s amazing how much junk we accumulate and then realize it when we move or start to spring clean. This is why I looked for a smaller house when we moved to Tennessee. We just had junk that collected. Even in our current house we’ve filled just about every open space with something.

Awareness Is Freedom

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Things we have to do are not always things we have to do. They often lead me down a path of regret and not freedom. Addiction is one of those things. I used to smoke and have since quit. It wasn’t easy and I sometimes think stoicism makes it easier than it may seem. I’m a bit more susceptible to addictions because I have an analytical mind that is constantly going and think of how this or that can be improved and more efficient. The addiction comes from wanting to shut off that part of my brain. It feels good to not worry or think about things constantly. Almost like meditation. I’ve tried to incorporate meditation and that has helped and also felt pointless at times. I then take the easy way out using an addiction of some kind. The first step of course is that I’m aware of this happening.

(Dis)integration

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Focusing on the inner is what gives me my control back. Otherwise I become subjected and bind to external forces that control me. This is similar to social engineering. Studying it I’ve identified when I’m influencing other people and when they’re influencing me. Recognizing and practicing it is not unlike being self-aware and practicing stoicism.

Daily Stoic(s)

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Tuesday - To Each His Own

The last time I flew off the handle was not a pretty sight. I beat myself up fairly literally. I feel like I’m starting to handle things better. Every once and a while though there’s this huge blow up. I am probably having less of them.

Wednesday - Cultivating Indifference Where Others Grow Passion

I feel I’ve cultivate quite a bit of indifference over the past year. That does seem to have a downside in that I feel I have a lack of purpose. I look at people passionate about something that I’m indifferent to. It gives them purpose and something to strive for. I don’t know that picking up something and not becoming indifferent is the answer.

Thursday - When You Lose Control

I feel like I regain my composure after falling so far. Right now I feel very composed, yet, I had a very tough week. Both from work and emotional stand point. I feel I’ve had to take a step back instead of just following into the same habits of things. Those are both good and bad habits. Maybe that is something I should try again in the future.

Friday - You Can’t Always (Be) Get(ting) What You Want

I’m a person that has many interests. That can sometimes lead to the scenario from the book. I can become unbalanced from too many things going on. I’ve recognized this before and cut back quite a bit. Now though I don’t feel as if I’m doing enough or I’m focused on the right things. Which makes me curious if I’m still doing too much. I do recognize that with the cold there are fewer things to do and that can lead to feelings of wanting to be able to do those things.

Yesterday - Where Philosophy Begins

Doing a daily stoic for a year and further has really helped me tap into my own feelings. The study of philosophy has helped me readjust and re-prioritize some of the things in my life. I’m more in tune with my feelings and I’m finding some interesting insights. Like sleep for example. I didn’t realize how much I was pushing through feeling exhausted just to do certain things. I’m trying to get more rest and do things that will help me feel more energized instead of trying to push through it.

Today - Accurate Self-Assessment

When I was younger I held myself back. As I got older I started to realize I had a lot of potential to fill and started working towards that. To this day I don’t hold myself back. I do sometimes overestimate worth and value I bring to a relationship. It’s a tough gut check and it’s been valuable to realize that I’m not as great as I think I am. I don’t want to fall too far down though because that could potentially lead to depression or under-performance.

It has helped at work because I’ve realized that I’m just a small piece in a much larger cog. This has allowed me to get over things that annoy and frustrate me at work. I still believe I provide a lot of value to the company and so do a lot of other people.

The Smoke And Dust Of Myth

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

We’re all just dust in the end. The stoic talks about not letting emotion such as anger or resentment into our lives because in the end we’re all buried in the ground. Instead we should enjoy life. Enjoy the little moments that make life what it is. I feel I’ve come to this place. I don’t have ambitions to go any higher in my career. I’m happy with where I’m at. This allows me to step away from work even when there’s work to be done. Every once and a while there’s a later day. Overall though if it isn’t needed immediately I’m happy to walk away and focus on my free and family time.