I needed this today! Thank you. I have so many thoughts about this, and these are all great reminders about why it’s so important to live a life on your own terms.
Yo! Now this is the kind of writing we need. Great stuff, Stefano. Keep it up. I have a passage from Epictetus's "The Art of Living" on my fridge. Read it every day.
"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice - now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren't a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you'll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do - now."
I love that Jake, may have to pin it somewhere for myself too. I’m definitely not a child any longer and put off for way too long to take responsibility for my life.
I’m glad you found the idea of balance useful. I’m like you, or I used to: I burnt bridges, I left jobs on a whim, and I regretted. Falling on my face gave patience to my system, my parts are now ok with the 9-5 as long as there’s an exit plan.
I find that having a community of people who are also working on an exit plan (versus being totally fine spending their life working a 9-5) helps me keep my course. Basically, I know I’m not the only one who sees the Matrix, and it makes it easier. 🙏
I navigate all this with the concept of balance. Have the 9-5 now, but be it part of a plan to exit the 9-5. Enjoy the “stability” of the 9-5, but make sure I put enough attention towards writing, “following my curiosities” (loved this!) and connecting to Source.
We re doing good, because at least we’re out of the numb state, the dream that keeps us unaware that working 9-5 at a desk is total insanity. So, let’s keep doing what we’re doing: staying awake, one foot in front of the other, one article after the other, one product after the other, until we “stumble upon” the thing that feels true, that feels aligned, the thing we soon will call our job. Here’s to this beautiful adventure and mission we’re on! 🙏
The reminder you give there on balance is very important for me, I needed that. I do have the 9-5, but it is part of an exit plan that I am building on the side. I'm a very impatient person, so I need to manage that correctly and not make emotional decisions.
Loved the way you put the last part of your comment together, let's keep doing what we're doing.
The funny thing is, I believe without reminding to be your authentic self, you will get caught in the tide of social homogenisation. It's the words written by Seneca, and yourself, that are so valuable in the journey. Thanks for the piece Stefano. Subbing for more.
Hey Ned, thanks for the comment and you're spot on I think with what you say about reminding yourself to be authentic and getting caught in the tide of social homogenisation.
Very nice article. It's so true. Many people are working because of the reasons they need to, not because they want to. I wish to embark in a journey that feels right to my soul too and find the happiness in doing it! Thanks for the sharing! 👍💯
Hello, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Yes, it’s a difficult position to be honest…
Got to pay the bills so a job is the most secure way to do it, but many of us want to do things that we are truly passionate about! You can build this on the side of your job and slowly build it up so you have the confidence and validation you require to take it full time. Or, you can find a job you really love, and the the pieces of the puzzle fall together very well.
It’s a tough position. But, as long as you’re taking the first steps that’s the main thing. I’m having to work extra hours on this newsletter each day, but I enjoy it.
Finding things you enjoy and that are actually fun when you’re doing them are the ones you need to pursue!
Let me know if you that helped, I’m happy to talk further 😄😄
You are welcome. I agree with you. I'm also trying this platform though I'm not sure how it's going to work too! But I'm taking it as a way to express myself and also helping those who are facing these thoughts and feelings in some ways as well! But I'm so glad to know each and everyone of you through this nice place! 🙂👍💯
Hey Karl! I do like Seneca. When I was writing this I did feel like my head was all over the place. Trying to bring more clarity to my writing, but that will come with time.
I needed this today! Thank you. I have so many thoughts about this, and these are all great reminders about why it’s so important to live a life on your own terms.
Hey Dana!
For sure, if you can live a life on your own terms and make your own opportunities and live with stability, then hats off to you!
That’s my goal.
Glad that helped and keep up the great writing and painting.
Yo! Now this is the kind of writing we need. Great stuff, Stefano. Keep it up. I have a passage from Epictetus's "The Art of Living" on my fridge. Read it every day.
Hi Jake!
Glad you enjoyed reading it man, thanks for taking the time to comment too. What's the passage on your fridge? Send me a photo of it 😄
I'm not home, but here's the passage:
"Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice - now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren't a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you'll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do - now."
I love that Jake, may have to pin it somewhere for myself too. I’m definitely not a child any longer and put off for way too long to take responsibility for my life.
Thanks for the reminder man.
Of course! Keep up the great work.
We live in chronological time too much. We should live in bring-forth time, time that is qualitatively better spent...
I like how you put that! You are right. Time should be spent qualitatively and not quantiatively, by the clock.
It's a great way to think about it Qi
Great post 👏🏼 Seneca was my gateway drug into philosophy.
It's interesting to consider how we lack respect for our time.
You mention working a job we hate as evidence of wasting our time. It could also be from mindlessly scrolling or binging tv.
Since I removed Instagram from my phone and started writing on substack, I've felt significantly more fulfilled with my use of time.
It gives me confidence that I have control over what I give my attention.
Thank you for sharing.
Hi T.J., thank you for your comment.
Seneca is awwesome haha.
Yes, exactly as you say, there are many forms by which we waste time.
One quote I like to remind myself of is this:
'Anything that doesn't align with your vision for the future is a distraction and should be treated as such'.
There is so much time in the day if you use it doing the things that align with your vision for yourself.
Thank you, inspiring :) !!
Hi Alison, thank you for taking the time to read, I really appreciate it!
Good post Stefano, love the quotes!
Thanks Beniamin, appreciate you taking the time to read!
I’m glad you found the idea of balance useful. I’m like you, or I used to: I burnt bridges, I left jobs on a whim, and I regretted. Falling on my face gave patience to my system, my parts are now ok with the 9-5 as long as there’s an exit plan.
I find that having a community of people who are also working on an exit plan (versus being totally fine spending their life working a 9-5) helps me keep my course. Basically, I know I’m not the only one who sees the Matrix, and it makes it easier. 🙏
Exactly Issa, you are very wise I like how you think about things.
Another great piece, Stefano!
I navigate all this with the concept of balance. Have the 9-5 now, but be it part of a plan to exit the 9-5. Enjoy the “stability” of the 9-5, but make sure I put enough attention towards writing, “following my curiosities” (loved this!) and connecting to Source.
We re doing good, because at least we’re out of the numb state, the dream that keeps us unaware that working 9-5 at a desk is total insanity. So, let’s keep doing what we’re doing: staying awake, one foot in front of the other, one article after the other, one product after the other, until we “stumble upon” the thing that feels true, that feels aligned, the thing we soon will call our job. Here’s to this beautiful adventure and mission we’re on! 🙏
Hey Issa, thanks for the kind words!
The reminder you give there on balance is very important for me, I needed that. I do have the 9-5, but it is part of an exit plan that I am building on the side. I'm a very impatient person, so I need to manage that correctly and not make emotional decisions.
Loved the way you put the last part of your comment together, let's keep doing what we're doing.
Glad you didn't postpone this one! Thanks for sharing, Stefano!
Hi Graeme! Yes, got to stop postponing. Really appreciate you taking the time to read.
Good writing, the flow is good. And my bias towards anything Seneca made reading his quotes so intellectually stimulating.
Hi Qi, thanks for taking the time to read, really appreciate that and glad you found the flow good! It's something I'm trying to work on
The funny thing is, I believe without reminding to be your authentic self, you will get caught in the tide of social homogenisation. It's the words written by Seneca, and yourself, that are so valuable in the journey. Thanks for the piece Stefano. Subbing for more.
Hey Ned, thanks for the comment and you're spot on I think with what you say about reminding yourself to be authentic and getting caught in the tide of social homogenisation.
There's a great quote along similar lines that says Society searched for consensus, individuals search for truth. It's from a podcast of Naval Ravikant, maybe check it out if you have time! https://open.spotify.com/episode/6bqjgYGmBarT1W5MtosLBB?si=x6JdkWF9QZyAJzeDM4nRzQ&context=spotify%3Ashow%3A0amgu8AxOYyHa9tDrVReQy&nd=1&dlsi=f061f0ddea7c434b
And thanks for subscribing Ned 😄
Very nice article. It's so true. Many people are working because of the reasons they need to, not because they want to. I wish to embark in a journey that feels right to my soul too and find the happiness in doing it! Thanks for the sharing! 👍💯
Hello, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Yes, it’s a difficult position to be honest…
Got to pay the bills so a job is the most secure way to do it, but many of us want to do things that we are truly passionate about! You can build this on the side of your job and slowly build it up so you have the confidence and validation you require to take it full time. Or, you can find a job you really love, and the the pieces of the puzzle fall together very well.
It’s a tough position. But, as long as you’re taking the first steps that’s the main thing. I’m having to work extra hours on this newsletter each day, but I enjoy it.
Finding things you enjoy and that are actually fun when you’re doing them are the ones you need to pursue!
Let me know if you that helped, I’m happy to talk further 😄😄
You are welcome. I agree with you. I'm also trying this platform though I'm not sure how it's going to work too! But I'm taking it as a way to express myself and also helping those who are facing these thoughts and feelings in some ways as well! But I'm so glad to know each and everyone of you through this nice place! 🙂👍💯
Too many good Seneca quotes in there! Great philosopher and great article 😊
Hey Karl! I do like Seneca. When I was writing this I did feel like my head was all over the place. Trying to bring more clarity to my writing, but that will come with time.
Thanks for reading Karl.
Reading more Seneca should help Stefano 😊