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Lessons I’ve Learned From This Book:
1. I Ceased Taking A Lot Of Things Personally
One takeaway from this book – that will be drilled into your being – is not to take things personally. Taking things personally is one of the least productive things you can do with your peace of mind, time, energy, and thoughts. “The Dail Stoic” dives in on this subject constantly, and I think this is so because so many of us let our emotions get in the way of living a productive life.
Many of us often take offense at people and things daily! And for what?!
How many of you still recall an interaction or something someone said to you, and you still get a rise from it?
I shrug a lot of things off these days. It takes more to get a reaction out of me. I even find it difficult to tell if someone is insulting me. Looking back, there are many instances where an apathetic shrug might not have been a realistic response; however, I’ve learned to care less about things, situations, and people’s actions that I shouldn’t care about (a simple yet more effective way to conduct life).
2. Emotions Do Not Rule My Life
The book is laid out into monthly themes. The theme of February in this book is: emotions. But when I take a step back, the whole book is about becoming less emotionally attached to:
Things
People
Outcomes
And Situations
What Is Stoicism: A person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining – Oxford Dictionary
3. I Embrace Minimalism
I was already on the minimalist train since I was a kid; yet, it’s still easy to get caught up with accumulating things, especially when society is constantly shoving advertisements and products down our throats (buy! buy! buy!).
The Daily Stoic talks about materialism and possessions frequently and gives reminders of how frivolous material possessions are. Furthermore, this book challenges the madness and ideas surrounding the endless pursuit of more possessions.
Three of my favorite passages relating to material possessions are here as follows:
“Don’t set your heart on so many things,” says Epictetus. Focus, Prioritize. Train your mind to ask: Do I need this thing? What will happen if I do not get it? Can I make do without it? The answers to these questions will help you relax, help you cut out all the needless things that make you busy – too busy to be balanced or happy.” – The Daily Stoic p 69
“So, concerning the things we pursue, and for which we vigorously exert ourselves, we owe this consideration – either there is nothing useful in them, or most aren’t useful. Some of them are superfluous, while others aren’t worth that much. But we don’t discern this and see them as free, when they cost us dearly.” – The Daily Stoic p 75
“[…] in a society of ever-bigger houses and ever more possessions: [..] there’s a hidden cost to all of that accumulating.” – The Daily Stoic p 75
I make it a habit to buy intentionally. According to my family, I take too much time to mull over purchases.
4. When People Show Me Who They Are, I Adapt
Relationships are simplified when you accept who people are. People always reveal who they are to you; you only need to accept it instead of attempting to change them or getting frustrated and complaining about their behaviors that bring you disdain. We don’t need to question and decipher negative behaviors. Just accept what is.
Maya Angelou was on to something big when she said this: When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.
So, instead of reacting unproductively when someone’s actions are rude, harmful, unintelligent, malicious, or selfish, I adapt and accept their behavior. Moreover, I do not actively allow room in my life for people who consistently display unevolved behavior, and I am unapologetic about it, too.
5. I’m Slightly More Empathetic
After reading and studying stoicism for some time, you notice things in people you didn’t notice before. I often tell my close friends that many adults are still children; they only look older. It’s easy to spot the child in undeveloped people by observing their behaviors and interactions with others.
Most people don’t evolve because it’s too painful, it’s stressful, anxiety-inducing, and uncomfortable.
Call it emotional intelligence or call it the BS detector, but this book has clarified (not 100%) the everyday interactions I have with others. I have a better understanding of people’s motivations, and I take into consideration people’s lack of evolution in conversations and interactions. But I also easily spot people who have evolved past “the child;” these people are courageous because they chose to deal with their past and pain bodies, which Eckhart Tolle masterfully discusses in “A New Earth.”
6. My Expectations Are Low
When your expectations are always in the sky, you find yourself feeling disappointed – often. I have found that actively implementing lower expectations for others has decreased my cortisol levels and increased my inner peace. I also found that I needed to lower some expectations for myself.
“The cause of my irritation is not in this person but in me.”
“We can’t blame other people for making us feel stressed or frustrated any more than we can blame them for our jealousy. The cause is within us. They’re just the target.” – The Daily Stoic p 88
People will fail us for the rest of our lives, and this is okay. There will be countless times we fail other people, too. The best people are the ones that realize this truth and don’t hold it against you because guess what? We’re all human!
A lot of the things we let bother us are mostly small stuff. “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” – Richard Carlson
7. Consistency Matters
Cumulative Law #Earl Nightingale
My personal development didn’t occur overnight; it took years to arrive where I am today (and notice the changes), and I still have a long way to go. But after continually ingesting daily meditations over and over again, one thing is for sure: the meditations started to take root and display themselves in my daily behaviors, thinking patterns, habits, and interactions with myself and others.
Consistency matters. Each day provides you another opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve into a more defined, more intelligent, more kind, and more wise human being.
What actions are you taking to improve yourself each day?
8. I Would Not Be The Person I Am Today
For all of the avid readers out there, we all have stumbled upon at least one book or article that has positively impacted our lives immeasurably. “The Daily Stoic” is one of these books for me. In addition, “The Power of Now” and “A New Earth” (both by Eckhart Tolle) are also unforgettable and divine-empowering readings.
Closing Thoughts
There are endless lessons in this book, which is why I shall continue my journey of reading it daily. I encourage you to make a daily investment in a read that will elevate your habits, thinking, actions, and holistic (mental, physical, emotional, & spiritual) health.
Know any other great books on stoicism? Drop your recommendations in the comments; I’d love to check more similar reads out.
We are in control of one person, and that person is ourselves.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.