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Welcome to The Stoa Letter, the newsletter on Stoic theory and practice.
🏛️ Theory
Fatigue can push us off the path.
One can be on a positive streak – then in a moment of tiredness lash out or slip into mediocrity. How does one combat that?
First, the practical answers.
The obvious strategy is to reduce fatigue. It’s boring and obvious, but it is the first place to look. For example, the best things most people can do for their health involve improving the "big three": diet, sleep, and exercise. Of course, one can over-optimize each of these. But at the very least, stop making basic mistakes in these areas. You will be less tired if you’re able to sleep enough. It needs to be said because this is the most important thing one can do and some are tempted to look for complicated answers when simple ones are available.
Another practical solution is to improve one’s environment. I’m going to be tired in the evening. How can I ensure I don’t waste time then? Simple rules – such as only using devices before 10 PM, using device level enforcement to achieve that are useful here, or spending time with family at these hours are useful here.
The Stoics also urge us to see fatigue accurately.
Seeing fatigue like any other “negative impressions” – it is not special:
Keep in mind too that pain often comes in disguise – as drowsiness, fever, loss of appetite… When you’re bothered by things like that, remind yourself: “I’m giving in to pain”
Like the impression of pain, tiredness can be reinterpreted. Sometimes, when one is weary, it’s a relaxing and restful state. Other times, you’re fatigued – but wired at the same time. It pays to reinterpret your state, if you can, as a restful or energizing one. One where you’re calm, instead of feeling irritable. Alternatively, if you’re tired during the day see fatigue as an obstacle you can work through. Marcus Aurelius reminded himself:
Pain is neither unbearable nor unending, as long as you keep in mind its limits and don’t magnify them in your imagination
We’re going to be exhausted in life. Living through fatigue is a necessary skill. All of us have been in situations where we’ve done our best to be energized and healthy – but because of family, work, or health issues – we will find ourselves exhausted. Stoics remind us that we can push through in such moments, steer towards good health, and enjoy doing our best, in a hectic world.
🎯 Action
Take two actions: one to be more rested and another to see fatigue accurately.
🔗 Links
🎧️ The Stoics provided a framework for becoming more prudent by developing the subskills of practical wisdom. Michael and cover those skills in this episode:
🔥 Donald Robertson is kicking off a new project. Check it out:
📰 Straightforward Stoicism by Enda Harte:
😴 Recent Stoa letters on insomnia and sleep:
🤖 Finally, time for something different. If you’re interested in teaching and AI, check out this detailed and actionable newsletter by a friend:
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