Stoic anxiety relief

Constructive catastrophizing

The Stoics don’t fuck around. If you’re anxious, they won’t give you a lollipop and a pat on the head. No, their advice is something more radical: “premeditation of evils.”

Here’s how it works:

1. If and when you’re up for it… Picture the worst things that could happen to you. A layoff. A foreclosure. A death. Now really sit with that possibility in your mind. What would it be like?

2. Instead of resisting or worrying about these outcomes, consider how you would cope with them rationally, and with resilience.

3. Remember that no one promised that this being-alive thing would be easy. Vexations are part of the deal. 

This exercise, although uncomfortable, is like a training for adversity. I personally find it very helpful.

On the pod today, we’re replaying an episode with author and scholar Nancy Sherman about many useful Stoic practices. Have a listen here.

Below, paid subscribers can access this episode’s cheatsheet with a list of the key takeaways as well as time-stamped highlights, and a full transcript. Paid subscribers can also comment on posts, participate in the chat, access live video AMAs, and more.