Stoic practice · 5 min

Journaling like the Meditations

Write as your own exacting, humane mentor.

Use when: reflection, lesson, maxim, self-mentoring

How the practice works

1. Read the frame The Meditations are working notes: reminders, corrections, and admired qualities written by a person mentoring himself.
2. Name the situation Write the reminder you need in plain language.
3. Record what you notice Whose quality have you seen lately, and what exactly did they do?
4. Choose the next action Apply the note to one real trial.

Primary source: Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book 1