Expect Trouble Embrace It Anyway Navigate The Day podcast

30:29

Say Hello 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Impulse Control 34:49

13 days ago34:49

34:49

Say Hello 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Test Your Impressions 28:51

20 days ago28:51

28:51

Say Hello 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Expect Trouble Embrace It Anyway 26:31

27 days ago26:31

26:31

Say Hello This week, I’m sitting with a hard truth—life doesn’t owe me peace, ease, or predictability. And as much as I want things to go a certain way, they rarely do. Seneca’s words hit home: it’s not the pain itself that crushes us—it’s the surprise of it. That unexpected hit to the gut. I’ve felt that recently. I’m still wrestling with the fallout of a relationship I thought would be my future. I still catch myself wishing it would all magically reverse, even though I know better. And that kind of wishful thinking? It’s been holding me back more than I care to admit. This episode is about facing that pattern in myself—my tendency to drift, to ruminate, to fight against reality instead of learning to meet it as it is. I talk honestly about what it's like to feel stuck in negative thought loops, overwhelmed by regret, and unsure of what comes next. But I also talk about what it means to prepare for life, not by numbing out or giving up, but by expecting trouble... and showing up anyway. Stoicism isn’t about becoming cold or indifferent. It’s about building a mindset that can weather anything. Through journaling, reflection, and a bit of hard self-honesty, I’m realizing I can’t control much—but I can control how I respond. I can meet disappointment without letting it define me. I can pause before I react. And I can continue to try, even when it’s exhausting. I don’t have all the answers—but maybe that’s the point. Life is less about figuring everything out and more about becoming someone who can handle the unknown with steadiness. Someone who can say, “Ah, there you are” when hardship arrives—and keep moving forward anyway. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
No Need To Impress 29:21

5 weeks ago29:21

29:21

Say Hello Life has a way of making us feel like we need to prove ourselves—to be seen, admired, validated. But is that really where fulfillment lies? In this episode of Navigate the Day , I reflect on Epictetus’ wisdom: the moment we shift our focus to impressing others, we stray from our true path. We lose sight of what truly matters—our own character, choices, and inner peace. I’ve spent a lot of time struggling with this. I’ve tried to shape myself into someone that others might find impressive, but it never brought me lasting fulfillment. Even when I’ve worked hard on self-improvement, I still battle with doubts, loneliness, and a feeling of aimlessness. Stoicism teaches that philosophy isn’t about looking wise—it’s about being wise. And yet, even knowing this, I find myself caught in cycles of dissatisfaction, constantly measuring my worth against things outside of my control. I talk about the ways I’ve been trying to apply Stoic principles to my life: practicing patience, gratitude, and self-awareness. Some days, I feel like I’m making progress. Other days, I find myself retreating into distractions, avoiding the discomfort of reality. I recognize that I’m still clinging to desires that aren’t serving me—wanting things to be different, wishing for a past I can’t change, and fearing an uncertain future. But what if wealth really isn’t about accumulation but rather contentment? What if the key to peace is not in chasing what I lack but in fully embracing what I have? This is a lesson I’m still working through. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up—it means choosing to live with what is rather than being consumed by what isn’t . This episode is a raw, honest look at the tension between self-improvement and self-acceptance. It’s about learning to let go of the need to impress, the need to seek external validation, and instead focusing on the quiet, often difficult, work of building inner strength. Because at the end of the day, the only approval that truly matters is the one we give ourselves. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
The Best Retreat Requires No Travel 26:56

6 weeks ago26:56

26:56

Say Hello I’ve spent a lot of time chasing after peace, believing it could be found in the right setting—a quiet walk, a vacation, or even just a day spent somewhere other than here. But Marcus Aurelius reminds us that the best retreat isn’t a destination—it’s something we cultivate within ourselves. True peace, real clarity, comes not from escaping, but from turning inward. It’s a comforting thought, but let’s be real—it’s not easy. My mind carries its worries everywhere. Even when I’m in a peaceful place, my thoughts can be restless, circling the same regrets, anxieties, and disappointments. And lately, I’ve had more than my share of those. I find myself looking at my choices, wondering if I’m really growing or if I’m just running in circles. I want to be patient, resilient, composed—but when life knocks me down, I fold, I react emotionally, I get lost in what I wish had been different. And yet, if I take anything from Stoicism, it’s the idea that my thoughts, my choices, and my reactions are within my control. That peace isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of life—it’s about facing them without letting them consume me. Retreating inward doesn’t mean shutting down. It means stepping back, seeing clearly, and choosing to move forward with intention rather than being swept away by frustration or fear. I won’t pretend that I have it all figured out. Some days, I feel like I’m learning nothing at all, like I’m just growing more cynical. But if nothing else, I know that I can keep trying. I can remind myself that I am not powerless. I can choose to step back, to breathe, to find stillness even in the chaos. Because peace isn’t a place—it’s a practice. So today, I remind myself—and you—that no matter where we are, we have the ability to create that retreat within ourselves. To treat ourselves to that space of renewal. To remind ourselves that the storm outside doesn’t have to become a storm within. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Patience, Perspective, and Letting Go 27:47

7 weeks ago27:47

27:47

Say Hello Today on Navigate the Day , I reflect on the challenges of patience, perspective, and the art of letting go. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius' wisdom, we explore how understanding the motives behind others' actions can help us cultivate compassion instead of resentment. The Stoics remind us that people act based on what they believe is right, even when they’re misguided. Recognizing this truth allows us to replace anger with empathy, frustration with acceptance, and bitterness with wisdom. But what happens when that understanding isn’t enough to ease the weight of our own struggles? Lately, I’ve found myself in a rut, wrestling with feelings of stagnation and self-doubt. Motivation feels like a distant memory, and I’m not even sure what direction I should be moving in. I don’t have a role model guiding me, nor do I feel the drive to be one for anyone else. Right now, just making it through the day without giving in to frustration feels like a victory. The distractions I rely on—podcasts, entertainment, anything to keep my thoughts occupied—serve as a temporary shield against self-criticism. I know that avoiding introspection isn’t the answer, but facing my inner dialogue head-on often feels overwhelming. The Stoics teach that true freedom lies in mastering our reactions, but what if those reactions feel out of our control? What if trying to shift our mindset feels more like self-deception than self-improvement? There’s a fine line between accepting life as it is and resigning ourselves to despair. I don’t want to gaslight myself into believing everything is fine when it’s not. But maybe there’s space between cynicism and forced optimism—an area where I can acknowledge my struggles without letting them define me. Maybe patience isn’t just about waiting for things to change but learning to sit with discomfort without letting it consume me. Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or pretending things didn’t matter. It means loosening my grip on the idea that I could have controlled every outcome. The past can’t be rewritten, but I can choose whether I let it keep me anchored in regret. So, as I navigate this period of uncertainty, I’m trying to remind myself that progress isn’t always obvious. Sometimes, just holding on, just making it through another day, is enough. And maybe, with time, clarity will come—not as a sudden revelation, but as the quiet realization that I’m still here, still learning, and still moving forward in my own way. When you're worn down, when the fire inside feels dim, remember: difficulty is not a sign of failure. It’s part of the process. The greatest strength is forged in adversity, and meaning isn’t always something we find—it’s something we create. If you're feeling lost, take a step forward. Even the smallest effort can rekindle the spark. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
What Is The Real Cost Of Things 27:23

7 weeks ago27:23

27:23

Say Hello In this episode of Navigate the Day , I take a hard look at the hidden costs of our pursuits—those things we chase after without fully understanding their true value. Inspired by Seneca’s words, I reflect on how much of what we strive for may be unnecessary, even burdensome, despite seeming desirable at first glance. Life has a way of pulling us in different directions, often leaving us feeling torn between virtue and vice, between what we say we value and how we actually live. I’ve struggled with this myself, especially when it comes to relying on external factors for peace and direction. Losing someone who once provided me with that sense of purpose has only made this more apparent. My mind drifts, my energy wanes, and I find myself questioning whether I’m truly dedicated to personal growth. This episode is about taking inventory—of time, energy, and emotional investment. It’s about recognizing that some pursuits, whether they be relationships, career ambitions, or even material indulgences, might be costing us more than we realize. It’s easy to feel trapped, to convince ourselves that we’re stuck in place. But often, our limitations are self-imposed, built from fear, guilt, or attachment to what we’ve lost. I also explore the importance of discernment—of asking ourselves whether what we chase is actually serving us. It’s an uncomfortable but necessary process. Whether it’s staying in a job that no longer fulfills me out of financial fear or holding onto the past because letting go feels unbearable, I recognize that my own thoughts and emotions can be just as much of an obstacle as external circumstances. There’s no simple solution, no overnight fix. But what I do know is that real wealth isn’t about accumulating more; it’s about needing less. It’s about cutting through the noise, prioritizing what truly matters, and making peace with the choices we’ve made while still striving to move forward. Even if I don’t have all the answers, I hope that by sharing my journey, you’ll find some clarity in yours. I leave you with this journal prompt: What pursuits or desires consume most of your time and energy? Are they truly bringing value to your life, or just adding stress and distraction? Let’s reflect together and navigate the day with greater intention. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Cultivate Indifference 25:28

9 weeks ago25:28

25:28

Say Hello Some things are good, some are bad, and some lie in between. That’s the core of what Epictetus teaches in his Discourses —that external things like wealth, health, pleasure, and even pain are indifferent. They aren’t inherently good or bad. What matters is how we respond to them. Lately, I’ve been grappling with this idea, and if I’m honest, I’m not doing a great job of embracing it. I know the Stoic wisdom: focus on what’s in my control, detach from what isn’t. But how do you detach from something—or someone—that matters to you? How do you call something “indifferent” when it feels like the defining struggle of your life? The truth is, I’ve spent too much time wrestling with the past, with regrets, with what could have been. I tell myself stories—some that paint me as the victim, some that cast me as the one at fault. But in the end, none of these narratives help me move forward. If anything, they keep me stuck, reliving the same emotions, the same grief. The Stoics would say I need to change the story I tell myself. That suffering comes not from events themselves, but from my judgments about them. Maybe I’m giving too much power to things that don’t deserve it. Maybe the real battle isn’t with the past, but with my own attachment to it. So, what does it mean to cultivate indifference? It doesn’t mean not caring. It means accepting things for what they are. It means recognizing that I can’t control the past, or how others feel, or even how long anything lasts. But I can control my response. I can choose to focus on virtues like patience, resilience, and wisdom instead of being consumed by what’s out of reach. I won’t pretend I have this figured out. But maybe, just maybe, I can start shifting my focus. Instead of dwelling on what I’ve lost, I can put my energy into what I still have—the chance to grow, to learn, to build something meaningful from where I stand today. So I leave you with this: What are you giving too much power to? What story are you telling yourself that might be holding you back? And what would happen if you let it go? 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…

Navigate The Day

1
Reduce Desires, Raise Happiness 26:06

10 weeks ago26:06

26:06

Say Hello In today’s episode of Navigate the Day , I’m diving into the idea of finding happiness by reducing our desires. Inspired by Epictetus’ metaphor of life as a banquet, I reflect on how often I’ve reached too eagerly for what I wanted, only to end up feeling more empty. I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in longing—for a better job, a more fulfilling relationship, or simply a life that feels more worth living. But what if the secret to happiness isn’t found in getting more but in wanting less? I share my struggles with accepting my current portion in life, battling with feelings of frustration and impatience. It’s been tough—feeling like life is passing me by, questioning whether I’m meant to find true joy or if I’m destined to just make do with what I’ve got. Yet, the Stoic perspective offers a powerful shift: instead of chasing endlessly, maybe it’s about savoring what’s already on my plate. This episode isn’t about forced positivity or ignoring the hardships. Instead, it’s an honest look at how practicing gratitude, letting go of unmet desires, and finding contentment in the present can transform our inner world. I hope my journey—the ups, the downs, and the slow climb toward acceptance—helps you find a bit of peace in your own life. Let’s explore this idea together, and perhaps, by the end of this episode, we’ll both feel a little lighter, a little more at ease with the banquet of life. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
The Price of Perception 23:44

11 weeks ago23:44

23:44

Say Hello Perception shapes everything. How we interpret the world, our past, and even ourselves can either free us or imprison us. In this episode of Navigate the Day , I reflect on the weight of unchecked perceptions and how they’ve influenced my emotions, decisions, and sense of self-worth. Epictetus warns us to guard our perceptions carefully, for they determine our peace of mind, self-respect, and ultimately, our freedom. But what happens when our own thoughts become the source of our suffering? When regret, sadness, and longing overshadow the present, making it feel like there's no way forward? Lately, I’ve found myself in a space where anger has given way to something deeper—disappointment, sadness, and exhaustion. It’s not rage that drives me anymore, but a quiet resignation, a feeling that no matter how much I try, I can't change what’s already lost. I’ve been disciplined, I’ve walked away from destructive habits, yet I still find myself feeling adrift, unable to shake the weight of regret. Love, loss, and the stories we tell ourselves—these things hold power. I can’t help but dwell on the past, on the choices I made, on the words I wish I could take back. Rationality failed me when I thought it would serve me best, and now I find myself questioning whether emotions, the very things I tried to suppress, were the voice I should have listened to all along. This episode isn’t about easy answers or quick solutions. It’s about sitting with the discomfort, recognizing the cost of holding onto certain perceptions, and asking the hard questions. How do we move forward when the past still has a grip on us? How do we reconcile logic with the heart? And at what point does letting go become necessary, not as an act of surrender, but as an act of self-preservation? Join me as I navigate these thoughts and wrestle with the challenge of shaping my perception in a way that serves rather than shackles me. If you’ve ever found yourself caught between regret and the struggle to move on, this episode is for you. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
You Don’t Have To Have An Opinion 24:06

12 weeks ago24:06

24:06

Say Hello Lately, I’ve found myself in an unexpected place—less anxious, but not exactly at peace either. It’s almost as if I’ve stopped fighting the current and let life carry me where it wants. The Stoics tell us that we have the power to withhold judgment, to step back and see things as they are instead of letting them dictate our emotions. And yet, when life doesn’t go the way I hoped, when I feel like I’ve lost something irreplaceable, I struggle to accept it without attaching meaning, without letting it shake me. Marcus Aurelius reminds us: “We have the power to hold no opinion about a thing and to not let it upset our state of mind.” But what happens when the emotions we try to ignore still creep in? What if, instead of mastering our reactions, we feel like we’re just going numb? In this episode, I reflect on my recent experiences—feeling disheartened, struggling to let go, and questioning whether it’s possible to truly embrace the Stoic idea of detachment when love, regret, and longing still weigh heavily on the heart. Maybe the key isn’t to silence emotions, but to be selective about what we give power to. Maybe progress doesn’t mean feeling nothing, but rather learning which opinions are worth holding on to and which ones we can release. Join me as I explore the balance between reason and emotion, and how I’m learning—slowly but surely—to navigate the 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…

Navigate The Day

1
The Weight Of What Remains 26:31

13 weeks ago26:31

26:31

Say Hello Lately, I’ve been wrestling with a sense of stagnation, feeling like I’m simply going through the motions of life without a clear sense of direction or purpose. I turn to Stoicism for guidance, but I often find myself questioning whether I’m truly applying its principles or just studying them from a distance. Marcus Aurelius reminds us to focus on the task at hand, to strip away distractions, and to act as if every moment is our last. But what happens when that focus brings us face-to-face with a reality that feels bleak, uninspiring, or even hopeless? In this episode, I reflect on what it means to stay present when the present moment feels unbearable. I’ve spent so much time isolating myself, withdrawing from the world, and struggling to find meaning in the daily grind. Relationships slip away, ambitions seem unreachable, and the weight of what remains feels heavier than ever. And yet, there’s still something to be learned from this space, even if it’s just the recognition that I am still here, still trying, still searching for clarity. Stoicism teaches us that we should master a few essential things: discipline, self-control, and acceptance. But what if, despite our best efforts, we feel stuck? What if we feel like we’re failing at life itself? I explore these questions, sharing my frustrations, my doubts, and my exhaustion. But in doing so, I also uncover something else—a quiet resilience, a willingness to keep going, even when the path ahead is unclear. Maybe that’s the real lesson. Maybe presence isn’t just about being engaged with what’s in front of us, but about allowing ourselves to sit with our struggles without being consumed by them. Maybe it’s about learning to carry the weight of what remains with grace, patience, and just enough hope to take another step forward. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
In the Silence of Struggle: When Meaning Slips Away 29:27

14 weeks ago29:27

29:27

Say Hello In this episode of Navigate the Day , I dive into the difficult truth that sometimes, life feels devoid of meaning. I've been grappling with the idea of purpose and how easily it can slip through our fingers during moments of emotional exhaustion. Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus remind us that struggle and obstacles are not signs of failure, but rather opportunities for growth. "The obstacle on the path becomes the way," as Marcus says, and through adversity, we forge our character and resilience. This week, I’ve felt a deep disconnect from the principles that once anchored me. The Stoic teachings about inner peace, reframing challenges, and cultivating virtue no longer seem to fit my reality. I often find myself questioning if there’s anything worth trying for. Is it possible to find meaning again when it feels like everything is crumbling around me? How do I move forward when each attempt feels like a setback? I’ve been exploring these questions and sharing some of my personal struggles. I talk about the exhaustion of trying to begin anew when it feels like nothing ever truly changes. The discomfort of accepting life's unpredictable nature and the pain of unmet expectations weigh heavily on me. Yet, I hold onto the Stoic belief that our journey through hardship shapes who we are becoming, even when it’s hard to see the purpose in the struggle. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering if the path ahead will ever make sense or if it’s worth facing another day, this episode is for you. Together, we explore how the struggle itself can offer a deeper understanding of ourselves, and why even in the most challenging moments, the fight for meaning and purpose is never truly in vain. I’ll also touch on my personal journey through loss, inner turmoil, and the battle against self-doubt, as I try to reconcile the person I am with the person I’m meant to become. Join me for a raw and reflective conversation on finding hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. 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…

Navigate The Day

1
The Dawn of Discipline: Mastering Your Inner World 25:41

15 weeks ago25:41