For the majority of people, most of the stuff they’ve acquired is collecting dust somewhere in their homes as it’s hardly being used. All it did was cost money, occupy space, and took up Earth’s resources in the production- and transportation process.Nevertheless, consumer culture wants you to believe you need more stuff, better stuff, and more expensive stuff to feel happy and confident.Truth is, freedom is the highest degree of wealth — not luxury items.

Practice Minimalism

“Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realise how unnecessary many things are. We’ve been using them not because we needed them but because we had them.”

“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills. There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . . So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”

The Stoics were known for having good habits and self-discipline.The Stoics understood that first you make your habits, but then your habits make you. Once set in place, your habits shape your character and quality of life. This can work for you or against you — depending on the quality of your habits.

Stoics

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."

“Truth is, how you spend your time is how you spend your life. So, if you want to be in control of your life, get in control of your time.The Stoics were very intentional with their time, as they understood the value of time. They understood that you could always make more money, but you can never make more time. Once a day is gone, it’s gone for good.

Manage Your Time

“Solitude is a state in which the mind is free from input from other minds.”

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Through reading books, we can learn from others who have walked the path before us, so we don’t have to make the same mistakes and face the same obstacles.The Stoics read a lot because they understood it was the most efficient way of learning and developing themselves. You can gain the wisdom someone spent a lifetime to acquire (through trial and error) in just a few days merely by reading the books they wrote.Make reading a daily habit, and your life will change.

Read Often

<ul><li>Manage your time</li><li>Practice Minimalism</li><li>Walk often</li><li>Read often</li><li>Practice Solitude</li></ul>

In Brief

“It’s not at all that we have too short a time to live, but that we squander a great deal of it. Life is long enough, and it’s given in sufficient measure to do many great things if we spend it well.”

“Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily.”

“People are frugal in guarding their personal property; but as soon as it comes to squandering time they are most wasteful of the one thing in which it is right to be stingy.”

“Only thoughts won by walking are valuable.”

Walking is underrated. Not only does it contribute to greater health, but it also clears the mind and sparks creativity. The Stoics would regularly go on long walks by themselves to sort out their thoughts.I recommend you go on walks by yourself, without any forms of input (no music, audiobooks, social media, etc.). Just be with yourself, your thoughts, and the fresh air. It will put life in perspective.

Walk Often

There is great power in being by yourself for an entire day — no one there to influence or entertain you.When it’s just you and your thoughts, great things can happen. You can put your life in perspective, gain fresh new ideas, and sort out your thoughts. This is nearly impossible when you’re constantly surrounded by other people.Practicing solitude is something most people find challenging. Even when they’re alone, they seek other people’s presence by going on social media.

Practice Solitude

Increase your productivity, wealth and happiness . 

This is why Marcus Aurelius ruled over the largest empire on earth, Epictetus triumphed over slavery, Seneca became the greatest writer of his era, and Cato led his troops to victory. The Stoics…

CAL NEWPORT

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