7 Ways Marcus Aurelius Will Help You Journal Like A Pro | Ryan Holiday | Stoicism

Summary

This video explores the profound impact of journaling in the life of Marcus Aurelius, the last of the five good emperors of Rome. Through his personal practice of reflection and spiritual combat, he cultivated inner strength and resilience, relying on Stoic principles to navigate the challenges of life. The video offers seven strategies for effective journaling, inspired by Aurelius' meditations, emphasizing self-reflection, preparation for challenges, and the power of repetition. Journaling, as shown, is a powerful tool for improving mental health and self-awareness, encouraging viewers to begin their own journaling journey to live a more intentional and meaningful life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Journaling was Marcus Aurelius's most important daily practice to build his soul and inner fortress.
• 😀 Marcus Aurelius wrote for himself, not for an audience, reinforcing the self-help aspect of journaling.
• 😀 Journaling helps you prepare for daily challenges and plan your responses, as Marcus did each morning.
• 😀 Repetition in journaling is crucial for reinforcing important life principles, such as mortality and duty.
• 😀 Journaling provides a healthy outlet for stress and anger, promoting emotional and physical well-being.
• 😀 Writing down your thoughts, particularly angry or destructive ones, prevents projecting them onto others.
• 😀 Marcus Aurelius often quoted philosophers, playwrights, and poets, using their wisdom to guide his thoughts.
• 😀 Regular self-reflection through journaling helps us ask tough questions about our choices, actions, and life path.
• 😀 The Stoics believed in reviewing each evening to learn from the day's experiences and improve for tomorrow.
• 😀 Journaling fosters self-awareness and self-reflection, which are vital for personal growth and achieving greatness.

Q & A

Why did Marcus Aurelius start journaling?

Marcus Aurelius journaled to strengthen his spirit and build an inner fortress, allowing him to remain unaffected by the external pressures of power, stress, and chaos. This practice was a form of spiritual combat, helping him cultivate resilience and self-awareness.

What was Marcus Aurelius's most important daily practice?

His most important daily practice was journaling. This habit allowed him to reflect, meditate on Stoic philosophy, and prepare his mind for the challenges of life.

How did Marcus Aurelius prepare his mind for the day ahead?

In the morning, Marcus would anticipate the challenges of the day, envisioning how he would deal with difficult people and situations. He would mentally prepare himself for adversity, reminding himself of Stoic principles to guide his reactions.

Why is it important to journal for yourself, according to Marcus Aurelius?

Marcus Aurelius wrote not for an audience, but for himself. Journaling was a personal practice to help him reflect, self-correct, and build resilience. This emphasizes that journaling is for self-improvement, not for external validation.

Why does repetition play a key role in Marcus Aurelius’s journaling?

Repetition helped Marcus Aurelius reinforce important Stoic principles. By repeatedly reminding himself of concepts like mortality, duty, and the common good, he made these values part of his daily thought process, turning them into habits.

What role does journaling play in managing anger and stress?

Journaling provides an outlet for negative emotions. Marcus Aurelius suggests writing down feelings of anger or frustration, which helps prevent these emotions from controlling our actions and allows us to reflect on them in a calm, constructive manner.

How can journaling contribute to improving decision-making?

By consistently asking tough questions about his actions and choices, Marcus Aurelius used journaling as a tool for self-examination. This practice of reflecting on decisions helps improve self-awareness, leading to better decision-making over time.

How does Marcus Aurelius suggest dealing with adversity?

Marcus Aurelius believed that any obstacle could be overcome if approached with the right mindset. He encouraged reframing challenges as opportunities for growth and believed that enduring hardship was an essential part of living a virtuous life.

What is the significance of reflecting on the day in Stoic philosophy?

Reflecting on the day is an important Stoic practice for continuous self-improvement. It allows for self-assessment, learning from mistakes, and preparing for the future. Marcus Aurelius himself reviewed his actions daily to ensure he remained aligned with Stoic values.

Why does Marcus Aurelius emphasize asking difficult questions in journaling?

Asking difficult questions helps to confront personal weaknesses, make better choices, and align actions with values. It leads to deeper self-reflection and a clearer understanding of one’s path in life.