Stoicism is known as a very practical philosophy. It is characterized by some abstract concepts, to be sure, but all of the surviving Stoic texts offer wisdom that can be understood and implemented immediately. Because of this, it should be a reasonably simple practice to break down a typical Stoic day. This article will present four things that should be implemented (or at least considered) by the practicing Stoic.

Morning routines

At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work – as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for – the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 10.15

The above passage from Marcus Aurelius reminds us of how we should all start our day: with focused action. Every morning we wake up is a gift to a Stoic, and they should aim to meet the day with proper perspective. Whichever role you have both chosen and been assigned in this world should be actioned with vigour.

That may not be commanding a Roman legion; it could be going to work, driving your kids to school, or many other things. The point is that the start of the day is not for sleeping in and falling prey to the fake promises of comfort; it’s whipping the comforter off you so that you can engage with the world, as you are meant to.

Work

The Western culture seems to define work as “something that one does not want to do in order to acquire money for the necessities of life.” That is a mistake. Work should be viewed as a small, yet significant contribution to making the world a better place. 

Work could be taking care of your children while your partner goes to their job. It could be volunteering at a shelter. It could also be going to an office to sit at your desk and contribute to the success of a company.

Regardless of what makes up most of your day, Stoics must absolutely work (if able) because Stoics are called to contribute to the world. This is “duty”. The alternative is living a selfish lifestyle, and one would be hard-pressed to label that Stoicism.

Philosophizing

Stoicism is a philosophy, and so there most certainly must be time set aside for philosophizing! This can take many forms. Reading is an obvious one. Journaling is another. Staring off into the abyss while meditating on mortality also counts! Giving ourselves time to ponder, question, self-explore, and learn is crucial. It helps us remain rational in our often chaotic lives. It brings us back to balance, and it helps us orient our actions in such a way that moves us closer to eudaimonia.

Family time

Similar to how we have a duty to the world, we also have a duty towards our families. Stoics are called to engage and work towards a better world, but not at the cost of neglecting those who personally matter most. It is no virtuous act to work 20 hours a day while entirely neglecting those who are relying on you to be proactive in their lives.

Typically, the evenings are a great time for this, since no one is working or in class. However, what often happens in our modern world is we are physically around each other while being distant as we scroll through social media. To be sure, banning cell phones from the house is likely not an appropriate response. That being said, quality time with family is much more fulfilling than liking your friend’s Facebook post. 

When we fail to look up from our screens, we may fail to see dismay in our daughter’s face. We may fail to ask what has upset her. Consequently, we may fail to further develop our relationship with her by helping her move through whatever is bothering her.

Developing our close relationships isn’t done in an hour, a month, or a year. It’s done over many, many years of consistent quality time together. That means you may have to save your doom scrolling for tomorrow.

Closing remarks

Because we are all individuals with different duties and social obligations, we will all have unique days. At the same time, the commonality of the human experience likely means that how we start, spend, and end each day will have universal themes. When in doubt, remind yourself that Stoicism is often more simple than you may realize: do your best to act appropriately. 

Brandon is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas both solo and with guests. He also coaches individuals to help them be their best selves, writes articles, plays music, manages projects, and several other things.

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