A Stoic Morning Routine for Men (10 Minutes)
Marcus Aurelius opened his private notebook by preparing for the people and problems he would face that day. You can do the same in ten minutes.
The routine
- Minutes 1 to 5: Meditate. Follow your breath and return each time you drift.
- Minute 6: Prepare. Ask what difficulties the day may bring, such as a rude colleague or a delay, and decide how you want to respond.
- Minute 7: Sort what is in your control (your effort, your reactions) from what is not (other people, outcomes).
- Minutes 8 to 10: Choose one thing you will do well today and one virtue to practice, such as patience or courage.
In the evening
Review the day: what went well, what you would do differently, and what to repeat tomorrow. Seneca describes a nightly review like this.
Frequently asked questions
What did Marcus Aurelius do in the morning?
In his Meditations he reminds himself to expect difficult people and situations, and to meet them with reason and a sense of duty.
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References
- Marcus Aurelius. Meditations, Book 2, section 1 and Book 8.
- Seneca. Letters from a Stoic (Letters to Lucilius).
This article is educational and not medical advice. Meditation does not replace professional care.