Don’t Let Your Soul Go First

Summary

The article discusses the author's personal struggle with mental health and the application of Stoic philosophy, particularly a quote from Marcus Aurelius, to overcome thoughts of self-harm by engaging in physical activity and journaling to reconstruct self-beliefs.

Abstract

The author shares a deeply personal account of battling mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of not surrendering the soul to negative thoughts. Drawing strength from Marcus Aurelius' Stoic wisdom, the author describes how their soul, with the help of physical exercise, resisted the urge to succumb to despair. The simple act of walking became a pivotal turning point, leading to extended periods of self-reflection and journaling. This process allowed the author to confront and dismantle harmful beliefs, fostering a path to self-healing and a renewed appreciation for their inherent value. The article concludes with an invitation for readers to engage with the quote and share their takeaways, as well as a recommendation to read "The Daily Stoic" for further exploration of Stoic principles.

Opinions

The author believes in the resilience of the soul and its ability to guide one through tough times when supported by physical activity.
Engaging in outdoor walks is suggested as a method to combat mental distress and improve one's mental space.
Journaling is presented as a powerful tool for self-analysis and the deconstruction of unhealthy thought patterns.
The author advocates for building a foundation of healthy thoughts and beliefs about oneself as essential for personal growth and healing.
There is an endorsement of "The Daily Stoic" as a valuable resource for those interested in applying Stoic philosophy to their lives.
The author promotes an AI service, ZAI.chat, as a cost-effective alternative to ChatGPT Plus (GPT-4), suggesting its utility and performance.

Never give up.

Image created by Ann Leach

“It’s a disgrace in this life when the soul surrenders first while the body refuses to.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.29

While going through a tough time, my mind started throwing out thoughts of self-harm. My mind was caving to the load but my soul recruited my body to pull me through. I started feeling antsy from too much lounging on the couch which prompted me to go outdoors for a walk.

At the start, I told myself I would only walk for 10 minutes, but at the 10-minute mark, I didn’t turn home. Instead, I crossed over to a nearby trail along the creek and continued walking. For over an hour.

The next day when those thoughts returned, again my soul teamed up with my body and I went walking until I was in a better mental space.

When I returned home from each of those walks, I pulled out my journal and started writing down my thoughts — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

What was going on in my head? I had to get it all out so I could see what was happening and take action toward improvement.

It took time but eventually, I found it, deconstructed it, and got to the bottom of it all — the untrue beliefs I hold about myself.

I saw that to thrive, I needed to build a better, healthier foundation of thoughts and beliefs about myself. That was the beginning of a lot of self-healing.

My soul knew what my mind didn’t — that I am a valuable person, warts and all.

What is your takeaway after reading today’s quote? Let me know in the comments. — Ann

Join me in reading and discussing The Daily Stoic*: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

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STOICISM

Don’t Let Your Soul Go First

Never give up.