Do The Difficult Things
Stoic Practices for Artistic Mastery.
Philosophy serves as the foundation upon which all theoretical and practical sciences are developed.
The primary reason I decided to pursue my master’s degree in philosophy was to gain a deeper understanding of the world and myself.
Various ideas excite me, imbuing my journey as an artist with meaning, and I wasn’t even aware of how crucial applying philosophy could be.
One recent inspiration was the Stoic belief in doing one thing every day that you’d rather not do.
This belief is rooted in the notion that the mind should govern our decisions, not allowing desires to dictate our lives.
By undertaking difficult tasks daily, we not only strengthen our willpower and gain control over our actions but also shape our reality and move closer to our goals.
It’s the highest form of discipline to remain true to ourselves.
To achieve this, we must step out of our comfort zones daily and confront challenging tasks.
For instance, Seneca regularly took cold baths, Marcus Aurelius slept on the floor, and Epictetus engaged in rigorous exercises.
Seneca wrote: “The body should be treated more rigorously so that it may not be disobedient to the mind.”
As artists, particularly writers, discipline is essential. Daily commitment to producing work and putting it out into the world is a demanding yet rewarding process.
We cannot follow this process unless we challenge ourselves daily and make courage a habit. We must daily remind ourselves who is in charge.
We are in control, not the desire for comfort.
If we wish to avoid failing ourselves in crucial moments, we must practice daily with small challenges.
You won’t be asked to write masterpieces every day, but you must write daily regardless.
Without cultivating the habit of daily writing and publishing, how can you ever hope to produce exceptional work worthy of publication in prestigious journals or by reputable publishing houses?
But, Olga, if we don’t rest, we risk burnout.
Are you? Or has your mind convinced you that if you write daily, you will be overburnt, all to keep you in your comfort zone?
Perhaps the time for rest will come when you’ve reached your destination, but for now, every day is a battle, and falling even a day behind could have significant consequences, as one day can easily become many more.
Commit to doing difficult tasks daily, not only in your artistic pursuits but also in your life in general. Incorporate challenging tasks each day and make courage a habit.
Then, when it truly matters, you’ll be able to make brave, right decisions.
Life isn’t meant to be easy; it’s meant to be meaningful.
If you want to achieve your goals, embrace the tasks you’d rather avoid!
If you’ve reached the end, thank you! Your support means a lot. Feel free to drop a comment and share your thoughts – let’s chit-chat about anything you wish! :)
