The Everyday Stoic

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's episode, William dives into how the ordinary can be lost in the dreams of the fictitious extraordinary. We explore how our imaginations create beautiful yet deceptive visions of the future, which can distract us from the reality of the present. Living in the past or future can lead to anxiety and depression, as these imagined realities often overshadow the real and present moment, which is where true life happens. We'll also discuss how media and childhood experiences shape our definitions of happiness, love, and friendship. These definitions can be misleading, causing us to compare our lives to the idealized portrayals in films, books, and social media. This comparison can lead to dissatisfaction, as we measure our real, complex lives against fictional, simplified stories. Social media often amplifies these feelings of inadequacy by showcasing curated, often unrealistic portrayals of life. Authenticity is a precious gift, and comparing ourselves to others can rob us of our unique joy. Eliminating or reducing the impact of social media can help us regain our zest for life and our true selves.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's episode, William dives deep into the Stoic principles that can help you overcome procrastination and enhance your productivity. William explores how setting clear aims each day, as Marcus Aurelius advised, can keep you focused and purposeful. We'll discuss the importance of understanding the dichotomy of control, a concept taught by Epictetus, which helps you channel your energy into what you can influence and let go of what you cannot. Daily reflection, inspired by both Stoic and Pythagorean traditions, is highlighted as a powerful tool for evaluating your progress and staying on track. Drawing inspiration from role models like David Goggins or Ian Fleming, we learn how contemplating the actions of those we admire can motivate us to push through challenging moments. We'll also see how simplifying our lives and focusing on the essential—Bruce Lee’s principle of "Hack away at the inessential"—can lead to greater productivity. Finally, we'll talk about the Stoic practice of being present and remembering our mortality (memento mori) to make the most of each day.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's episode, we explore the powerful Stoic exercise of contemplating the sage. William delves into how this practice can guide us towards becoming better individuals, regardless of past mistakes or current challenges. Inspired by the wisdom of philosopher Pierre Hadot and the resilience of figures like James Stockdale and Francis Ngannou, we learn how envisioning an ideal role model can provide direction and strength in difficult times. Join William as he shares practical ways to embody Stoic virtues, create personal role models, and live a life of virtue and kindness. Discover how the Stoics used the image of the sage, such as Zeus or an idealized version of themselves, to navigate life's hardships with wisdom and courage. Learn how modern heroes like Fred Rogers and Steve Irwin can serve as contemporary role models for passion and dedication. Whether you're new to Stoicism or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights and exercises to help you stay on the right track and continually improve your character.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's episode, William dives deep into the nature of haters and how to handle them with a stoic mindset. Social media has given everyone a platform, and with that, more people face criticism and hate. But haters aren’t the real enemy. Allowing them to derail you from your path or rush your journey is where the true danger lies. William shares personal anecdotes about how he faced hate as his platform grew, transforming those negative comments into opportunities for growth and self-improvement through the teachings of Stoicism. He explains how haters can serve as indicators of both your successes and areas needing improvement. By adhering to the stoic virtues of courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice, you can stay on your true path and resist the urge to veer off course or speed up your journey due to external pressures. Whether you're an artist, athlete, or entrepreneur, learn how to use criticism as fuel to stay dedicated to your goals and achieve the best version of yourself.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In this episode, William explains into a powerful Stoic exercise known as premeditatio malorum—premeditating the challenges and adversities of the day. Drawing from the profound wisdom of Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations, William explores how anticipating and mentally preparing for the inevitable difficulties of daily interactions can cultivate resilience and tranquility. William shares how this ancient practice has transformed his mornings and discusses how you, too, can implement this ritual to start your day with strength and calmness. He explains the Stoic view on human nature's connectivity through a shared "fragment of divinity," highlighting the importance of cooperation and compassion in our interactions, even in the face of rudeness or aggression. By understanding the true nature of good and evil, and recognizing the ignorance that often fuels others' negative behaviors, William guides listeners on how to remain unaffected by external negativities. This episode not only equips you with a stoic mindset to face daily challenges but also enhances your understanding of Stoicism as a practical philosophy for living well.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In this episode, William shares insights derived from ancient Stoic wisdom, coupled with personal anecdotes and practical advice for living a more fulfilled life. Discover the transformative power of letting go of the need to please everyone and the dangers of overthinking and self-pity. Learn why dwelling on the past or feeding negative energy can hinder your path to happiness. William breaks down these concepts with engaging stories and explains how these changes have improved his own life and can do the same for yours. Whether you're familiar with Stoicism or just looking for ways to simplify your approach to everyday challenges, this episode offers valuable lessons on reducing mental clutter and enhancing your overall well-being.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In today's episode, William explains the timeless wisdom of Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", a work he describes as the key to a good life. With his unique blend of passion and clarity, William demystifies this ancient text, revealing its relevance to modern listeners—from world leaders to everyday individuals. Starting with a vivid portrayal of Aurelius's character and circumstances, William sheds light on why the words of a Roman Emperor resonate so powerfully today, despite his seemingly unrelatable life of immense power and wealth. He confronts common misconceptions about the text, explaining why even the controversial first chapter is crucial for understanding the stoic philosophy. William doesn't stop at just explaining; he shares practical insights on how to approach and digest this profound work. Highlighting eight major themes that he's uncovered through a decade of daily reading, he provides listeners with a fresh perspective on familiar stoic ideas, such as the acceptance of life's suffering and the pursuit of eudaimonia—human flourishing. Whether you have the book collecting dust on your shelf or you're a seasoned reader, this episode will equip you with new tools to tackle its teachings. William also offers advice on selecting translations and incorporating stoic practices into daily life, ensuring that listeners are not only informed but also empowered to act.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad This second installment of our exclusive three-part series with Shi Heng Yi explores the enduring teachings of the Greek philosopher Epictetus, once a slave, who chose to enlighten others with his philosophy of control and freedom. William and Shi Heng Yi delve into the core stoic principles outlined in the Enchiridion, discussing the illusion of fear, and how the awareness of what we can control versus what we cannot shapes our reality and peace of mind. We examine how Epictetus’s ideas resonate with both stoic and Eastern philosophies, emphasizing the importance of focusing on our internal motivations rather than external factors. This discussion not only bridges historical and philosophical gaps but also offers practical advice for modern listeners seeking tranquility and resilience in their lives. Shi Heng Yi also shares insights on the transformative power of facing fears and the concept of fear as an illusion. This enlightening conversation is not just a philosophical discourse but also a guide on how to live a life of purpose, free from unnecessary fears and focused on what truly matters.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad In this episode, William explains the feeling that life is just beyond reach. Many feel that real living is perpetually on the horizon—after the next milestone, the next achievement. Yet, life is happening right now, in the mundane and the spectacular alike. William shares his personal journey from chasing an elusive feeling of "living" during extraordinary moments like stargazing at Castle Hill, to realising that the magic of life exists in every moment. With a blend of personal anecdotes and stoic wisdom, he offers the powerful realization that we are already in the midst of our lives, not merely preparing for them. This episode is a call to embrace the present, underscored by practical advice on how to shift our philosophical perspective to see the magic in everyday interactions and experiences. Join William as he provides a guide for redefining happiness and fulfilment, urging us to find the profound in the ordinary.

Click here to check out HUEL: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://my.huel.com/mulliganbros⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠#ad Join William in an engaging and profound discussion with Master Shi Heng Yi in this exclusive episode. Diving deep into the teachings of Seneca, this dialogue explores the stark themes of mortality and the shortness of life, illuminated through the stoic practice of "memento mori" — a reminder of our own mortality. William and Master Shi Heng Yi delve into the practical applications of these ancient wisdoms in our modern lives, emphasising the importance of living in the present and appreciating each fleeting moment. They discuss balancing life's activities with moments of stillness and the powerful impact of embracing the now over the distractions of past regrets and future anxieties. This is the first of three special episodes from the ceremony talks with Shi Heng Yi, offering unique insights into stoic philosophy and its timeless relevance.