Reminders for coping. Recently, I have noticed that some of us are getting a little re-frayed around the edges by the daily stuff. My antidotes are making things and refreshing my lessons on how to apply stoicism. The verdict is out on whether making things is soothing. It's currently July 12 and my deadline to get my 20 exchange envelopes in the mail is July 15 - and I have 5 to go - and a few of them did not make my eyeballs hurt. I apologize if this sounds like complaining. It's not. It's just an observation.
Here's a quick refresher course (from The Daily Stoic) on how to stoic-i-fy yourself.
Stop complaining
Complaining is easy. It’s as natural to us as breathing. Complaining is describing something—an event, an experience, a person—negatively without any indication of next steps or plans to fix the problem. It requires little thinking and zero action. Whether it be damning God, the government, the universe, faulty technology, slow Wi-Fi, the authorities, or traffic, anyone can find something to complain about.
But what good has complaining ever done anyone in the long run? Sure, shaking your fist at the sky and venting your frustrations can feel liberating in the moment, but has it ever changed your circumstances for the better, solved your problems or made you happier? We’re willing to bet the answer is no.
That’s why Marcus Aurelius said,
“Don’t be overheard complaining…Not even to yourself.”
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