Making It Through The Nine-Five Dreg.

“Embrace the suck” is a common saying in military lingo. The military was my first real job where I was paid higher than minimum wage.

I have worked in fast food, retail, roofing, construction, and in the office in college.

I have chosen to live a more stoic life in my various endeavors, and I take pride in attempting to be the most disciplined in every field I have worked in.

I would try to make pizzas as fast as I could, although once, I didn’t cut a family's pizza. It was secretly hilarious to me, but we were in a rush.

I would try to carry the most shingles up a ladder and get the most manual labor done as well as technical roofing work.

If another platoon in my company was working on filling sandbags, I would voluntarily assist them in the arduous endeavor while the rest of my own platoon were sleeping in our trucks during our visit to their fob. This definitely earned me some friends outside my platoon, as actual voluntary assistance is a rare occurrence.

I have worked retail, and such jobs gave me the imposter syndrome from time to time, but in response, I would just work harder. Not to gain a foot in management, but to take the load off some of the other older laborers. I didn’t want to go into management as I had my sights set on working towards a different academic career in psychology.

I carved out meaning in my labor.

I wanted to spread a different mindset. One that was not based on how much work I could get away with not doing. Some people will spend more energy trying to get out of work than the actual work itself. This in turn earns me favor from coworkers and management alike, but that is not why I work hard.

To overcome the imposter syndrome of working in a position of lesser importance in society, I would remind myself of my strive for discipline and stoicism.

I try to make a difference in changing some toxic mindsets by showing people that some will make sacrifices for others.

I believe strongly in leading by example through sacrifice. I am farther from perfect than you, my reader. I assure you.

It is important to have hobbies outside the workplace. Hobbies such as woodworking, writing, coding, scrapbooking, or crocheting. Woodworking is expensive, but it is one of my favorite channels for creativity. I also develop websites for fun and even practice math in my spare time. Obviously, writing is a great affordable hobby and a great channel for creativity. Hobbies add more meaning, and some are a great way to interact with the people around us. We are not robots born to work and die.

The universe does not care about us. It wants us to give in to entropy. Life has its ways of overcoming this phenomenon, and I am rebellious. I choose to rebel against the universe through sheer stubbornness.

Spirituality and religion aside, I have developed my own rules and disciplines that keep me going. It is primarily through stoicism, as this is what resonates with me. Well, I suppose I did not develop these rules but merely adopted them.

Stoicism offers a practical philosophy that can help you persevere and keep going even when you feel like giving in. Here are some Stoic principles and practices that can be beneficial in such situations:

1. Acceptance of What You Can’t Control: Stoicism teaches you to focus your energy on things within your control and accept what you cannot control. When you feel like giving in, remind yourself that some circumstances are beyond your influence, and you can’t change them. Instead, concentrate on your response and actions.
2. Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help you stay present and calm during challenging times. By paying attention to your thoughts and emotions, you can better manage your reactions and make more rational decisions.
3. The Dichotomy of Control: According to Stoicism, there are things you can control (your thoughts, actions, and decisions) and things you can’t (external events, other people’s actions). Focus on what you can control, and don’t let external factors determine your happiness or motivation.
4. Negative Visualization: Stoics often practiced negative visualization, which involves imagining worst-case scenarios. This might sound counterintuitive, but it can help you appreciate what you have and mentally prepare for adversity, making it easier to endure challenges.
5. Rationality: Stoicism encourages rational thinking. When faced with obstacles or difficult decisions, engage in critical thinking to assess the situation objectively. This will help you avoid impulsive reactions and make better choices.
6. Self-Discipline: Practice self-discipline and self-control. Make a commitment to your goals and values, even when facing obstacles. This can help you maintain your resolve and keep going.
7. Virtue as the Highest Good: Stoicism places virtue as the highest good. Focus on being a good and virtuous person, irrespective of external circumstances. This can provide a sense of purpose and resilience in the face of adversity.
8. Maintain Perspective: Consider the bigger picture. Remember that temporary setbacks or difficulties are just part of the broader journey. Keeping the long-term perspective in mind can help you stay motivated and persistent.

Nothing is under control on our runaway terrestrial freight train.

As we spiral through the void of the universe, many times things will be out of our control. Embracing “the suck” is a practice that people would benefit from learning to refine.

“The suck” is a challenge to be overcome. Without challenges in our lives, things become boring.

Imagine a heaven-like reality where there is no pain or suffering. No challenges, and we can have whatever we want or feel anything we want to. Living in a constant state of bliss. Well, that doesn’t sound too bad, but it is predictable. Predictability is somewhat boring to me.

A perfect plane of existence could not exist in my opinion because it would be one without meaning. What is the point of anything in a perfect existence? Not to mention the idea of perfect is paradoxical.

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”

— Frederick Nietzsche