A Stoic Journaling Routine

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

Authors of The Daily Stoic reflect upon a quote by ancient Roman Stoic philosopher Seneca who stated (page 36):

I will keep constant watch over myself and—most usefully—will put each day up for review. For this is what makes us evil—that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflect upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for the future descend from the past.

Although I question Seneca’s use of the term “evil,” as it plausibly relates to a malevolent evil force, I concur with the meaning of this word when addressing that which arises from actual or imputed bad character or conduct, or that which causes harm, suffering, or misfortune.

Keeping continued watch over oneself by way of daily review is something I’ve practiced for years, as a matter of warding off what I consider to be evil. In fact, this is a staple of my daily self-care routine (habitual or mechanical performance of an established procedure).

Each morning, I write about matters which occurred the day or night prior, what I intend on doing for the current day, and other such matters. Even the content of my blog sometimes serves as a journaling task of sorts, with the intention of sharing my thoughts to be reviewed by others.

I find that since having begun this helpful practice I have much more clarity of mind and less emotional reactivity than was common prior to the introduction of my Stoic journaling routine. Regarding this matter, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 36):

In a letter to his older brother Novatus, Seneca describes a beneficial exercise he borrowed from another prominent philosopher. At the end of each day he would ask himself variations of the following questions: What bad habit did I curb today? How am I better? Were my actions just? How can I improve?

I find it far more useful to write my thoughts, rather than allowing them to pollute my mind without form, purpose, or meaning. As well, I invite my clients to integrate the practice of journaling. Concerning this helpful practice, authors of The Daily Stoic recommend (page 36):

Keep your own journal, whether it’s saved on a computer or in a little notebook. Take time to consciously recall the events of the previous day. Be unflinching in your assessments. Notice what contributed to your happiness and what detracted from it.

Write down what you’d like to work on or quotes that you like. By making the effort to record such thoughts, you’re less likely to forget them. An added bonus: you’ll have a running tally to track your progress too.

For all intents and purposes, the current blogpost is being written at the end of my day. Also, I’m using a computer to facilitate this process, as I reflect upon the events from my day. Did I partake in matters which were purposeful and meaningful to me? Yes. Did I do so perfectly? No.

As I had no clients scheduled today, I’ve written about an activist, a couple of my preferred hip hop lyricists, artificial intelligence and the potential of a global apocalypse stemming from machines built by humans, and now a Stoic journaling routine. Thus, it’s been a wonderful day!

Now, I invite you to begin a Stoic journaling routine. Noteworthy, it isn’t particularly difficult to start this process. Perhaps you could commence with committing to writing only a paragraph or two per day. Then, as you become more familiar with the process, see what comes up and out.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

Photo credit, fair use

References:

Daily Stoic. (n.d.). Translating the Stoics: An interview with “The Daily Stoic” co-author Stephen Hanselman. Retrieved from https://dailystoic.com/stephen-hanselman-interview/

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Holiday, R. and Hanselman, S. (2016). The daily stoic: 366 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living. Penguin Random House LLC. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-daily-stoic-366-meditations-on-wisdom-perseverance-and-the-art-of-living-d61378067.html

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