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This week, I’ve been wrestling with perspective—how narrow mine can get, and how desperately I need to zoom out. Inspired by the Stoic practice of "Viewing From Above," I explore what it means to rise above the noise of everyday life and see things as they really are: fleeting, small, but still meaningful. Heraclitus reminds us that the universe operates by an eternal rhythm, a fire that rises and falls in due proportion. It’s not ours to control—but it is ours to live within wisely.

And honestly? That’s hard. I’ve been reflecting on how often I’m caught up in other people’s opinions, or worse, my own harsh self-judgments. There’s a fear that if I stop caring what others think, I’ll fall back into the cruel narrative I tell myself. That’s where the real work is—rewriting that inner voice. Learning to trust myself, even when the past has made that feel impossible.

I’m also questioning what meaningful work really looks like. My day job doesn’t feed my soul, but I’ve realized that doesn’t mean I’m exempt from putting in the work of becoming who I want to be. Stoicism reminds me that the hard, often invisible labor of character—patience, discipline, emotional clarity—is a job worth showing up for. Even when no one’s watching.

This episode is a reminder to keep stepping back, to see the bigger picture, and to make peace with the uncertainty of the path. I don’t have all the answers. In fact, most days I feel like I’m floating through life. Maybe floating isn’t failure—it’s the space between letting go and becoming something new.

So, if you’re tired, uncertain, or stuck in the loop of self-doubt—take a breath. Look up. You’re part of something bigger. And even if you don’t have it all figured out, you’re still allowed to grow.

Let’s navigate the day—one honest thought, one small step at a time.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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Say Hello

This week, I reflect on what it really means to live with joy—not the fleeting kind that comes from distractions, praise, or comfort, but the deep, lasting joy that Marcus Aurelius wrote about. He says joy lies in doing the proper work of being human: being kind, exercising self-control, seeing the world clearly, and accepting the natural order of life. That’s not flashy, but it is fulfilling.

Lately, I’ve noticed how easy it is for me to get caught up in the opposite. I talk a lot about discipline, patience, and mindfulness, but the truth is I still procrastinate, distract myself with entertainment, and get discouraged by the day-to-day grind. I find myself slipping into cynicism, talking a good game about growth while repeating patterns that hold me back.

But I’m trying to be honest with myself. It’s not enough to know what a good life looks like—I have to live it. Joy, as the Stoics describe it, isn’t something I have to chase. It’s something I can choose, right here, right now, by showing up with integrity in even the smallest things. It’s in making kind choices, doing hard things with courage, and staying anchored to what really matters—even when life feels heavy, or hope feels far off.

I’m not where I want to be yet. But I know the gap between who I am and who I want to become is crossed by taking one honest step at a time. This episode is that step. It’s messy, it’s personal, but it’s real—and I hope it reminds you, too, that even when joy feels distant, it’s never completely out of reach.

You can start again today, just like I am.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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This episode is a personal one. Inspired by a powerful quote from Marcus Aurelius, I reflect on the tension between gratitude and attachment—how easily I get swept up in what’s missing instead of appreciating what I already have. He reminds us not just to count our blessings, but to consider how much we'd long for them if they were suddenly gone.

Lately, I’ve struggled with negativity and a tendency to see my habits, progress, and even relationships through a lens of regret. Turning 30 has only made those thoughts louder. I’ve been thinking a lot about where I am in life, where I thought I’d be, and all the ways I’ve fallen short. But amidst the frustration and self-doubt, I’m learning that practicing gratitude—genuinely, without clinging—isn’t about ignoring what’s wrong. It’s about seeing what’s still right.

In this episode, I talk about how I've been trying to build better habits, work through my emotional setbacks, and find ways to anchor myself in the present—even if it’s just by enjoying a quiet moment with coffee, keeping up with meditation, or rowing through a favorite anime. It’s not perfect, but it’s something. And maybe that’s enough to start turning things around.

If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in a cycle of negativity like I have, I hope this episode reminds you that growth doesn’t require perfection—it just asks for honesty, consistency, and a little bit of hope.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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In today’s episode, I reflect on the sobering truth behind a powerful Stoic principle: our habits shape us, day by day, action by action. Epictetus reminds us that each moment we choose anger, avoidance, or complacency, we’re not just reacting—we're practicing those behaviors, reinforcing them like muscles trained through repetition. And the reverse is also true: when we choose patience, honesty, or discipline, no matter how small or unnoticed, we're laying the groundwork for who we want to become.

This week, I’ve wrestled with a harsh reality—I haven’t been treating myself as a lifelong project. Life lately feels more about survival than growth. I'm working a job I don’t love, stuck in financial stress, and feeling far from the person I want to be. My mind often feels like an enemy rather than a place of strength or clarity. Yet even in this struggle, I see a sliver of hope. I'm still showing up. I'm still writing. I’m still asking myself hard questions.

Stoicism teaches that our power lies in our choices, not our circumstances. That can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re tired, disillusioned, or afraid of repeating past mistakes. But I’m starting to see that it's in the small, intentional shifts—in thought, in word, in deed—that we reclaim our direction. This isn’t about grand transformations overnight. It’s about asking: What kind of fire am I fueling today?

This episode is about learning to live intentionally, even when life feels heavy. It's about choosing habits that build the kind of person we hope to become. It's about hope—not blind optimism, but a resilient belief that change is possible, one decision at a time.

Have you noticed any small habits lately that might be shaping who you're becoming?

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on one of the most grounded lessons Epictetus ever gave us—don’t rush to share what you’ve just learned. Live it first.

There’s a quote from Discourses where Epictetus warns against spewing philosophy the way an upset stomach throws up undigested food. He urges us to digest ideas fully, to let them become part of who we are, before we try to share them with others. In other words, don’t just talk about wisdom—embody it.

This week, I tried to hold that lesson up to my own life, and honestly, it forced me to take a hard look at myself. I talk about my struggles with wanting more—more security, more purpose, more direction—and how those desires often leave me feeling powerless. I reflect on how difficult it is to find peace when I measure my worth against things outside of my control: money, approval, relationships, even my job.

At times, I’ve worn a mask—pretending I’m okay, even cheerful—when deep down I’ve felt lost, behind, or overwhelmed. I know what the Stoics would say: “You’re not your circumstances, you're your choices.” But sometimes even that feels like a weight instead of a liberation.

I wrestle with feelings of disconnection, especially when I think about the vastness of the universe. I know the Stoics believed that understanding our place in the cosmos should humble and free us, but for me, it often triggers panic instead of peace. And still, I keep showing up to this practice—not perfectly, not as some polished version of a Stoic, but as someone who’s trying.

I admit that I don’t always live by the virtues I admire. My discipline falters, my patience wears thin, and my fear too often dictates my decisions. But I’m not giving up. I’ve started making small changes—paying off debt, exploring new career paths, reconsidering college—because I want to live a life that aligns more closely with the person I aspire to be.

This episode is a reminder—to myself and maybe to you—that the journey to becoming is rarely tidy. It’s not about having it all figured out. It’s about taking small steps with honesty, humility, and a willingness to grow. I’m not here to tell you how to live; I’m here to show you how I’m trying.

And maybe, together, we can figure it out—one day at a time.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Today’s episode is about seeing things as they truly are—not as we wish they were, or as others tell us they should be. Inspired by a brutally honest passage from Marcus Aurelius, I explore how stripping away illusion can lead to a kind of freedom—a freedom from being ruled by our desires, impulses, and false impressions.

Over the past week, I’ve been wrestling with distractions, slipping into old habits like doom scrolling and losing sight of my priorities. It's easy to fall into self-criticism when I realize how often I let myself drift, but I'm reminding myself that this is part of the work. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about waking up, seeing clearly, and choosing better, even if it’s just one small step at a time.

I talk candidly about feeling stuck in a job that drains me, missing someone I deeply loved, and the struggle to stay mindful when my heart and mind want to wander. I share my reflections on how easy it is to slip into judgment and self-flagellation, and how vital it is to instead aim for awareness and compassion, both toward myself and the reality I’m trying to navigate.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that our minds are our own—and that caring for them means guarding against illusions, attachments, and the stories that don't serve us. True strength isn’t about becoming numb to life’s hardships or heartaches; it's about staying clear-eyed and open-hearted, even when it’s uncomfortable.

We don’t gain freedom by rejecting joy, beauty, or hope—we gain freedom by seeing them as they really are, without being trapped by them. This is the path I'm trying to walk: one of clarity, consciousness, and continuous effort toward the person I want to become.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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In today's episode of Navigate the Day, we're diving deep into the Stoic concept of impulse control, inspired by the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. We explore how our impulses can often enslave us, pulling us around like puppets and preventing us from living a truly free and fulfilling life.

I've been reflecting on my own struggles with impulsivity and how it has impacted my life. From neglecting my finances to avoiding introspection, I've realized that I often spend my time and energy on things that don't truly matter. I've been using distractions to avoid facing my deeper issues, and this avoidance hasn't led to any solutions.

While I've made some progress in certain areas, like staying sober, I recognize that I still have a long way to go in terms of self-improvement. I need to be more mindful of how I spend my time and energy, and I need to confront my challenges with courage and honesty.

It's also crucial to recognize that life's challenges are inevitable. Instead of resisting or complaining, I'm learning to accept them gracefully and focus on what I can control – my attitude and response. This doesn't mean I have to enjoy hardship, but it does mean choosing how I approach it.

I'm also working on being more observant of my thoughts and actions, recognizing that they have real consequences. By being more intentional and deliberate, I can create clarity and growth in my life.

Ultimately, I'm striving to live a life guided by Stoic values – wisdom, kindness, discipline, and courage. By focusing on these internal goods, I can find true contentment and purpose, regardless of external circumstances. It's a continuous journey of self-discovery and growth, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to navigate it day by day.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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This week, I’ve been sitting with a heavy but powerful reminder from Epictetus: “You are an impression, not at all what you appear to be.” That line has echoed in my mind as I’ve wrestled with my own outlook—especially the tendency to assume the worst, to let cynicism guide my reactions, and to treat every negative feeling like it’s a fact set in stone.

This episode is about learning to challenge that default setting. I reflect on how my thoughts, habits, and emotional reactions—those initial impressions—often feel like truth, but are frequently distorted by fear, insecurity, or old narratives. I’ve noticed how easy it is to cling to hopelessness, to accept misery as my baseline, and how those beliefs shape my experience far more than the events themselves.

But Stoicism teaches us to pause. To ask, Is this in my control? Is this thought actually true—or just something I’ve accepted without inspection? I won’t pretend I’ve mastered this, but this week I tried to take a hard look at the judgments I’ve been carrying around—especially the ones that have been holding me back.

In sharing my reflections, I’m not offering quick fixes or polished wisdom, but something real: the messy process of trying to break free from a mindset that’s no longer serving me. I talk about therapy, isolation, self-talk, and the fear of change—and also the quiet hope that maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to believe everything I think.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in your own story, convinced that things can’t get better, I invite you to test that impression. It might not be what it seems. And maybe, with patience and effort, we can learn to trust less in our fears—and more in our capacity to grow.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work