Don't Seek Out Strife

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

Theodore Roosevelt was driven by compulsion, a work and activity addiction. The stoic talks about how he was constantly doing things. I feel that same pull to always be doing something. Always have a goal. Always be doing something. I’m starting to learn that I don’t need to be. When I’m at the coffee machine I don’t look at my phone. I don’t have social media on my phone for that very reason. I used to get headaches in the car when I was passenger. It was because I was catching up on my Twitter feed.

Social media is easy to cut out. It’s the feeling of needing to constantly be doing something that’s a bit harder. Both at work and at home. I’m starting to realize and try not doing anything. Just be there in the moment.

Steady Your Impulses

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

Impulsive people lead to people who have rollercoaster type of days. Amazing highs and crushing lows. I think this explains some of what I feel. I took the enneagram test a month or so ago and ended up with enthusiast as my type result. I like to experience a lot of different things. Which to me could mean impulses. I’m usually down for whatever other people want to do, especially if it’s something new. I’m also down for what I’m internally feeling. If I want to stay up late and play video games, I’m down. If I want to drink, I’m down. The stoic says to ask the following questions, “Who is in control here? What principles are guiding me?”

I think that’s important for steadying and balancing out the highs and lows.

On Being Invincible

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

This is about controlling emotions. You see it often in how celebrities and athletes handle criticism. One of my favorite skits is Jimmy Kimmel’s Celebrities Read Mean Tweets. I spent two hours one Sunday just going through them all. I gained an appreciation for celebrities who leaned into to the mean things people said about them. It’s certainly something to strive for.

The Source of Your Anxiety

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

The source of anxiety is worrying about things outside of our control. I’ve worked a lot on this the past couple of months. I tend to worry about a lot of different things. Work related and non-work related. Am I being a good worker? How do I handle this person? How do I handle this process?

Right now I’m worried about my weight. It’s been the highest it’s ever been in the last two years. I’ve cut back on beer. I’m eating better than ever before by eating things like cauliflower, kale, broccoli, fresh fruit, and on and on. I’ve got out a lot of red meat. I still have the occasional burger and steak. I prefer to go the chicken, fish, or pork route. I work out regularly. I’m still up in the weight. I have to remind myself that it’s okay and not to beat myself up to much about it.

Daily Stoic(s)

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

Yesterday - For The Hot-Headed Men

Anger is a weakness. I like the last line of the stoic, “…they are in control of their passions—rather than controlled by their passions.” Strength is found in keeping your cool and not getting angry. I’ve been working on this a lot in traffic and I do feel calmer now riding to and from work. Kids are the ultimate test in keeping your cool and I’m really working on that as well.

Today - A Proper Frame of Mind

Impulse is what drives us to do certain things. The stoic compares it to someone else coming in and telling us what to do and how to feel. This is something I’m struggling with regarding video games, drinking, and food. It’s pretty tough not let our impulses over take us because they’re impulses. I’m trying to stay more mindful about those impulses and asking the question why. I want to better understand why I had a particular impulse. Sometimes it’s stress. Other times I have a desire to hang out with friends.