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The Daily Stoic Journal: A Daily Journal of Wisdom, Self-Discipline, and Perseverance
by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
Philosophy
TL;DR
This journal isn't about reading; it's about doing. It pushes you to reflect daily on your actions, control your reactions to life's dumpster fires, and practice gratitude even when everything feels like a TikTok cringe compilation. You'll learn to identify what's in your control (your thoughts, your effort) and let go of what isn't (literally everything else). It's a daily workout for your mental resilience, helping you build habits for a less chaotic existence and find purpose beyond endless scrolling.
Action Items
Tomorrow morning, before you even touch your phone, spend 2 minutes thinking about one thing you want to achieve and one challenge you might face, and how you'll handle it.
Next time something mildly annoying happens, pause for 5 seconds and ask yourself, "Is this actually bad, or am I just making it bad in my head?"
Pick one thing you're currently stressing about. Write down two columns: "In My Control" and "Not In My Control." Only focus on the "In My Control" column.
Tonight, before bed, think about one thing you did well today and one thing you could have handled better. Don't judge, just observe.
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Key Chapter
Chapter - Morning Reflection: Setting Your Intentions
Alright, so you wake up, probably scroll TikTok for an hour, and then wonder why your day feels like a glitch in the matrix. This journal slaps you with a simple idea: don't just exist, actually decide how you're gonna tackle the day. It's about taking five minutes to mentally prep for the inevitable chaos. Think about what challenges might pop up, how you want to react, and what kind of person you want to be today. It's like pre-gaming for life's boss battles, so you're not caught off guard when your Wi-Fi dies or your boss sends a "quick chat" invite. Setting intentions isn't woo-woo; it's strategic. It helps you stop being a passenger in your own life and actually grab the steering wheel.
Key Methods and Approaches
The "What's My Deal Today?" Check-in
(AKA: Morning Reflection)
Description:
Before your brain even fully boots up, you jot down what you're aiming for and what crap might try to derail you.
Explanation:
Your brain is like a phone battery at 3% when you wake up. If you don't plug it in with some purpose, it's gonna die by noon, leaving you scrolling aimlessly. This method is like giving your brain a quick charge and a GPS coordinate for the day. You're basically telling yourself, "Okay, today I'm not gonna let Karen from accounting get to me, and I'm gonna actually finish that report." It's about being proactive instead of just reacting to whatever life throws at you like a confused squirrel.
Examples:
Mentally preparing for a cringe-worthy family dinner by deciding you'll just nod and smile, not engage in political debates.
Anticipating a tough workout and committing to pushing through, even if your body feels like a sack of potatoes.
Deciding to focus on one big task at work before getting sucked into emails.
Today's Action:
Tomorrow morning, before you even touch your phone, spend 2 minutes thinking about one thing you want to achieve and one challenge you might face, and how you'll handle it.
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