7 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO EVERY MORNING (Stoic Routine)

Summary

This video presents a morning routine grounded in Stoic philosophy, focusing on practices to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and purpose. It encourages viewers to reflect on life’s transient nature, journal for introspection, set daily intentions, embrace discomfort for growth, and practice mindfulness and meditation. Additionally, it emphasizes revisiting Stoic teachings, practicing Amor Fati (the love of one’s fate), and aligning actions with Stoic virtues. By incorporating these principles, viewers can transform their mornings and ultimately their lives, navigating each day with awareness, intention, and gratitude.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reflect on the transient nature of life each morning to embrace the preciousness and brevity of existence.
• 😀 Journaling is an intimate practice for introspection, self-awareness, and growth; it can help you connect with your values and intentions.
• 😀 Set daily intentions, not goals. Focus on how you wish to be (e.g., patient, compassionate, courageous) rather than just what you aim to achieve.
• 😀 Embrace discomfort to build resilience and fortify your spirit, preparing yourself for life’s inevitable challenges.
• 😀 Practice mindfulness and meditation to center yourself in the present moment, detach from external circumstances, and cultivate equanimity.
• 😀 Revisit Stoic teachings daily, not just for understanding, but to embody them in your actions and thoughts.
• 😀 Practice Amor Fati: love and embrace whatever life brings, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
• 😀 Stoicism teaches the value of appreciating the present moment and using it wisely, as a tool for living a life of virtue and purpose.
• 😀 Life is short, so use each day wisely by prioritizing what truly matters and letting go of trivial distractions.
• 😀 Incorporating Stoic principles into your morning routine allows you to face the day with clarity, intention, and strength.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind Marcus Aurelius' quote about life in the morning?

The main idea is to remind us of the preciousness of life. Waking up each day is a privilege, and we should approach it with appreciation for the ability to think, breathe, enjoy, and love.

How can reflecting on the transient nature of life set the tone for a peaceful day?

By acknowledging life's impermanence, we realize the importance of valuing each day. This understanding helps prioritize what truly matters, minimizing distractions and ensuring a purposeful approach to life.

What is the significance of journaling in the Stoic morning routine?

Journaling is a tool for introspection, grounding, and self-awareness. It allows one to clear mental clutter, practice gratitude, reflect on stoic principles, and set intentions for the day ahead.

What is the difference between goals and intentions in Stoic philosophy?

Goals are future-oriented and focused on achieving external outcomes, while intentions are rooted in the present and focus on embodying virtues. Intentions guide how we navigate life and respond to situations based on our core values.

Why should we embrace discomfort according to Stoic teachings?

Stoicism teaches that embracing discomfort helps build resilience, fortify the spirit, and prepare us for life's inevitable challenges. It also helps break dependencies on external comforts, promoting inner strength and independence.

How can mindfulness and meditation complement Stoic practices?

Both mindfulness and Stoicism emphasize the importance of living in the present moment. Meditation helps to cultivate a peaceful mind and equanimity, aligning with Stoic principles of managing emotions and focusing on what’s within our control.

Why is revisiting Stoic teachings important each morning?

Revisiting Stoic teachings daily keeps their wisdom fresh in our minds and allows us to apply them to our daily lives. It’s a practice of continuous growth, reflection, and ensuring that Stoic principles guide our actions and decisions.

What is Amor Fati, and how does it change our perspective on life’s challenges?

Amor Fati is the love of one’s fate. It encourages us to embrace all that comes our way, whether good or bad, and see it as part of our personal growth journey. This mindset helps us view challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

What does the Stoic practice of daily intention-setting entail?

Daily intention-setting involves focusing on who you intend to be rather than what you aim to achieve. It’s about embodying Stoic virtues like patience, compassion, courage, and temperance, and allowing them to guide your actions throughout the day.

How does the Stoic concept of 'control' influence our daily actions?

Stoicism teaches that we can only control our thoughts, actions, and reactions. Understanding what’s within our control and what isn’t helps us focus on our internal responses, fostering peace, resilience, and wisdom in every situation.