Navigate The Day

The View From Above

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on the Stoic idea that sometimes the best way to deal with life's challenges is to step back and see them from a wider perspective. Inspired by the words of Heraclitus, I explore how easy it is to become trapped inside my own worries, frustrations, and disappointments until they feel larger than life itself.Throughout this episode, I wrestle with questions about purpose, fulfillment, self-control, and the gap between knowing what I should do and actually doing it. I share my ongoing struggles with impulsive spending, escapism, negative self-judgment, and feeling stuck in routines that provide comfort without much growth. Looking at my life honestly, I recognize how often I focus on what feels lacking rather than acknowledging the progress I've already made.I also reflect on the difference between temporary pleasure and lasting fulfillment. Whether it's collecting cards, playing games, or distracting myself from difficult emotions, I find myself asking if the things that bring short-term happiness are helping me build the kind of life I truly want. At the same time, I explore the Stoic idea that joy and meaning come less from external achievements and more from the character we develop through our choices.The View From Above reminds me that many of the problems that dominate my thoughts today may eventually become small moments in a much larger story. It doesn't erase my struggles, but it helps me see them with greater perspective. Rather than demanding perfection from myself, I'm learning to recognize that growth happens gradually, often through small decisions repeated over time.This episode is an honest conversation about feeling lost, questioning long-held assumptions, and trying to find balance between accepting where I am and taking responsibility for where I'm headed. Most importantly, it's a reminder that sometimes the distance we need isn't from life itself, but from the worries that have grown too large inside our minds.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Practice True Joy

2w ago00:29:48Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on the difference between temporary pleasure and what the Stoics describe as true joy. Seneca’s reminder that “real joy is a serious thing” challenged me to think about how often I rely on distraction, comfort, and escapism just to get through the day. Whether it’s podcasts at work, mobile games, shopping for collectibles, or endlessly consuming content online, I can clearly see how much of my life is spent trying to avoid discomfort instead of learning how to face it with clarity and resilience.This week I found myself wrestling with the idea that inner peace cannot be built on external things alone. I talk openly about my impulsive spending habits, my fear of failure, and the way negativity has shaped how I view my future. I’ve spent years consuming information about self-improvement, personal finance, and Stoicism, but I’m beginning to realize that knowledge without action changes very little. It’s easy to listen, harder to apply. Harder still when fear, insecurity, and self-doubt constantly convince me to stay where I am.I also reflect on how much of my life has become centered around avoidance. Avoiding vulnerability, avoiding challenges, avoiding disappointment. From my career and finances to relationships and self-image, I’ve noticed how often I retreat instead of staying in the fight. The Stoics believed resilience is built by enduring hardship rather than escaping it, and I’m beginning to understand that every time I run from discomfort I reinforce the very habits that keep me stuck.At the same time, this episode is not about hopelessness. It’s about recognizing that true joy may have less to do with excitement and more to do with stability. Real peace probably doesn’t come from getting everything I want, but from learning how to stand steady even when life feels uncertain, repetitive, or disappointing. I may not have all the answers yet, but I’m starting to see that small intentional actions matter more than dramatic overnight change.Throughout the episode I explore the tension between wanting comfort and wanting growth, between feeling defeated and still hoping life can improve. I talk about how easy it is to lose years drifting through distractions while convincing myself that meaningful change can wait for some “better” version of me in the future. But perhaps the future only changes when I start showing up differently in the present.If you’ve ever struggled with impulsive habits, escapism, fear of failure, or the feeling that life is slipping by while you remain stuck in place, this episode will likely resonate with you. More than anything, this conversation is an honest reflection on learning how to face reality without constantly needing to run from it.True joy may not look like endless happiness or excitement. Maybe it’s quieter than that. Maybe it’s the ability to keep going, to remain grounded, and to continue trying even when life feels uncertain or heavy.Thank you for taking the time to listen. I appreciate you being here with me as I continue navigating these thoughts, habits, fears, and lessons in real time. Until next time, stay safe, keep moving forward one step at a time, and remember: you can handle the worst. Peace and love, friend.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Count Your Blessings

3w ago00:29:05Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on how difficult gratitude can be when my mind is constantly focused on what’s missing, what’s uncertain, or what feels broken in my life. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius’ reminder to appreciate the blessings already present before they disappear, I wrestle with the tension between gratitude and dissatisfaction. Stoicism teaches that peace comes from recognizing both the value and impermanence of what we have, but I’ll be honest—this is something I still struggle deeply with.Throughout this week’s reflections, I explore my ongoing battles with impulsivity, escapism, financial stress, and the habit of searching for temporary relief instead of lasting fulfillment. I talk openly about how my spending habits, collectibles, gaming, and distractions often serve as a way to escape uncomfortable thoughts and emotions rather than confront them directly. While I’ve managed to leave behind more destructive habits from my past, I’m beginning to realize that replacing one form of escapism with another doesn’t necessarily solve the underlying problem.I also spend time reflecting on gratitude itself and why it feels so complicated for me personally. It’s easy to overlook basic necessities, relationships, shelter, work, and moments of peace because my mind naturally gravitates toward what feels lacking or unstable. Even when I acknowledge the things I do have, I often catch myself minimizing them or focusing on their flaws instead. This episode became an honest examination of how difficult it can be to appreciate life while simultaneously feeling trapped by it.At the same time, I recognize that progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Over the years I’ve quietly built better habits, cut out harmful behaviors, become more patient, and grown more reflective—even if I rarely give myself credit for those changes. I discuss the pressure I place on myself to have life figured out by now, especially as I get older, and how perfectionism often blinds me to the small but meaningful progress I’ve actually made. Stoicism reminds me that growth is gradual, imperfect, and built through consistency rather than sudden transformation.More than anything, this episode is about learning to slow down long enough to recognize what is already here: the people I care about, the opportunities I still have, the lessons I continue learning, and the simple fact that I’m still trying despite feeling lost at times. Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending life is perfect. It means learning to see value in the middle of uncertainty, and appreciating the present moment without clinging to it out of fear.Thank you for taking the time to listen to me ramble. I hope these reflections encourage you to be a little gentler with yourself while still striving to grow. Progress may feel small, messy, and frustrating at times, but that doesn’t make it meaningless. Stay safe, keep moving forward one step at a time, and until next time, know you can handle the worst. Peace and Love Friend.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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We Are A Product Of Our Habits

4w ago00:28:22Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on the quiet truth that my life is being shaped by the habits I reinforce every single day—whether I realize it or not. Inspired by Epictetus’ reminder that repeated actions strengthen repeated behaviors, I explore how easy it is to unintentionally fuel patterns of distraction, negativity, avoidance, and emotional exhaustion without ever meaning to. The more I react the same way to stress, dissatisfaction, or insecurity, the more natural those reactions become. At the same time, I’m beginning to understand that patience, discipline, and self-awareness grow the exact same way: through repetition.Throughout this week’s reflections, I wrestle with impulsive spending, feelings of stagnation, work-life imbalance, vanity, self-image, and the habit of escaping from my thoughts through entertainment and distractions. I open up about the frustration of feeling stuck between who I am, who I thought I would become, and the uncertainty of who I even want to be moving forward. I discuss how easy it is to consume inspiration, self-help, and philosophy without actually allowing those lessons to shape my daily actions. More importantly, I acknowledge how habits are not just physical routines—they are emotional patterns, thought loops, and repeated responses to life.Even with all of these struggles, I also recognize that some growth has happened quietly over time. I’ve become more patient. I react less impulsively. I avoid unnecessary conflict more often than I used to. Those small changes matter, even if they don’t feel dramatic. This episode is ultimately about recognizing that meaningful change rarely happens through massive breakthroughs. More often, it’s built slowly through small repeated choices, imperfect efforts, and the willingness to keep trying despite feeling lost or discouraged.This conversation is honest, messy, and deeply reflective. It’s about learning that every action trains the mind in some direction, and that the habits I feed today will shape the person I become tomorrow. While I still struggle with motivation, uncertainty, regret, and fear, I’m trying to remind myself that growth doesn’t require perfection—it requires repetition, awareness, and the courage to keep practicing better habits little by little.Thank you for taking the time to listen to me ramble. I truly hope these reflections help you feel a little less alone in your own struggles with growth, discipline, identity, and change. Stay safe, keep showing up for yourself one day at a time, and until next time, know you can handle the worst. Peace and Love Friend.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Show Don’t Tell

May 300:29:11Tap to summarize

This week, I’ve been forced to confront a gap I’ve been avoiding for a long time—the gap between what I know and how I actually live.Reading Epictetus, it’s clear that learning something isn’t the same as becoming it. I’ve spent years reading, journaling, and talking about Stoic ideas, but when I look at my daily actions, not much has changed in the ways that matter most.I know what I should be doing. That’s not the problem.The problem is that I’m not doing it consistently.It’s easy for me to explain concepts, to reflect on them, even to give advice. But that doesn’t mean I’ve internalized them. If anything, it’s made it easier to feel like I’ve made progress without actually changing my behavior.That realization is frustrating.Because it means I’ve been mistaking awareness for growth.I see it in my habits. I still distract myself more than I focus. I still avoid problems instead of dealing with them. I still spend money impulsively even though I understand the consequences. And despite all the time I spend thinking about change, I haven’t committed to it in a meaningful way.That’s the part that’s hard to sit with.I’ve also noticed how much I think about how I’m perceived, even if I tell myself I don’t care about recognition. I try to act in ways that align with being a “good person,” but I’m not always sure if that’s coming from a genuine place or just a habit I’ve built over time.And underneath that, there’s still a bigger question I haven’t answered—who am I actually trying to become?Without that clarity, it’s easy to drift. To adjust to whatever situation I’m in, rather than living by any real standard. And when I do that, my actions end up being inconsistent, reactive, and disconnected from the ideas I say I value.That’s where this idea of “digesting” what I’ve learned really hits.It’s not about repeating the right things. It’s about letting them shape my decisions, quietly, over time. Not forcing a complete overhaul of my life, but making small, consistent changes that actually reflect what I believe.Because if nothing changes in how I act, then what I know doesn’t really matter.I think part of my hesitation comes from not wanting to feel fake. The idea of changing my behavior feels like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not. But maybe that’s just an excuse. Maybe real change is uncomfortable because it challenges the version of me I’ve gotten used to being.It doesn’t have to be dramatic.It can start small. Being more intentional with my time. Following through on things I already know would help me. Closing the gap, even slightly, between what I say and what I do.I’m not there yet. There’s still a disconnect. But I can see it more clearly now.And maybe that’s the first step—not talking about the change I want to make, but starting to show it.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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The Freedom Of Contempt

Apr 2600:30:07Tap to summarize

This week, I’ve been reflecting on how much power I give to things that probably don’t deserve it.Reading Marcus Aurelius, I’m reminded of a blunt but useful practice—strip things down to what they really are. Not what I’ve made them out to be, not the story I attach to them, but their basic nature.When I do that, a lot of what I chase starts to look… smaller.I spend money on collectibles, little things that give me a quick hit of satisfaction. In the moment, they feel meaningful. But when I step back, they’re just objects—things I’ve assigned value to. Meanwhile, the things that would actually improve my life, like reliable transportation or a stable living situation, get pushed aside.That’s hard to admit.Because it means I’m not just struggling with money—I’m struggling with what I choose to value.The Stoics talk about focusing on a few real goods: wisdom, self-control, justice, and courage. And when I compare that to how I’ve been living, I can see the gap. My attention is scattered. My goals shift. I chase what feels good in the moment instead of what actually matters long-term.It’s no wonder I feel stuck.A big part of that comes down to attention. I lose it constantly. Whether it’s podcasts, games, or scrolling, I’m almost always distracting myself from reality. And the more I do that, the harder it becomes to focus on anything meaningful.It’s like I’m choosing to stay unfocused.At the same time, when I do slow down and look at my life clearly, it can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot I want to change, and not having a clear direction makes it easier to fall back into old habits. So I end up stuck between knowing better and not doing better.That tension has been showing up a lot this week.Another thing I’m noticing is how much I exaggerate things in my mind. Not just material possessions, but situations, mistakes, even other people. I take something small and turn it into something heavier than it needs to be. And once I do that, my reactions follow that exaggeration.That’s where this idea of “freedom” starts to make sense.If I can see things more plainly—less emotionally charged, less dressed up—then they lose some of their grip on me. I don’t have to stop enjoying things, but I also don’t have to depend on them.I can choose differently.That applies to more than just spending. It shows up in how I handle mistakes, how I judge myself, and how I react to other people. I’ve gotten better at admitting when I’m wrong, but I still struggle with actually changing my behavior afterward. Recognizing a problem doesn’t fix it.Action does.And that’s the part I’m still working on.I’m starting to understand that clarity isn’t about being harsh or cynical—it’s about being honest. Seeing things for what they are so I can stop overvaluing what doesn’t help me, and start focusing on what does.I’m not there yet. I still get pulled by impulse, still distracted, still inconsistent. But I can see it more clearly now.And maybe that’s where change begins.Because the less I exaggerate what things are, the less control they have over me.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Impulse Control

Apr 1900:29:25Tap to summarize

This week, I’ve been reflecting on how little control I actually have over outcomes—and how much frustration comes from forgetting that.Through Marcus Aurelius, I’m reminded that it’s not just my thoughts I need to manage, but my impulses and expectations too. I can choose what I agree with, and I can choose how I act—but I can’t control how things turn out. And that’s where I tend to struggle.I make plans for my day, and when something small throws it off, like getting stuck waiting on a bridge, it feels bigger than it should. Not because the situation is that serious, but because I’ve already decided how things were supposed to go. When reality doesn’t match that expectation, frustration follows.What I’m starting to see is that a lot of my stress comes from attachment. Not just to outcomes, but to how I think things should be.I also notice how impulsive I can be—especially with my time and money. I tell myself I need to relax after work, and before I know it, hours are gone to distractions that don’t really move my life forward. The same goes for spending. If I see something I want and I have the money, I justify it in the moment, even if it sets me back long-term.It’s not that rest or enjoyment is wrong—but without intention, it turns into excess.And that’s where this idea of acting with “reservation” hits home. I can still make plans, still take action, still care about improving my situation—but I need to leave space for things to not go perfectly. I need to stop acting like every impulse deserves to be followed, and every plan deserves to succeed exactly as I imagined.Because they won’t.Life has a cost to it. Time, effort, setbacks—none of it is optional. I spend a lot of energy resisting that, wishing things were easier or different. But avoiding those “taxes” doesn’t remove them, it just makes me less prepared to deal with them.What I need to focus on instead is how I show up.Am I using my time well? Am I acting in a way that actually matters? Or am I just reacting to whatever I feel in the moment?I’m not great at this yet. Most days, I still drift. I distract myself, avoid problems, and act on impulse more than intention. And when things don’t go my way, I take it harder than I should.But I’m starting to understand that the goal isn’t to control everything—it’s to act with purpose, without demanding a specific result.That’s the shift I’m working toward.To care about my effort more than the outcome. To leave room for uncertainty instead of fearing it. And to remind myself that not every thought needs agreement, and not every impulse needs action.If I can get even a little better at that, I think I’ll feel a lot less thrown off by life.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Test Your Impressions

Apr 1200:30:25Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I take a closer look at something that quietly shapes almost every part of my life—my first reactions. Inspired by Epictetus, I explore the idea that what I initially feel or believe about a situation isn’t necessarily the truth—it’s just an impression. And more often than I’d like to admit, I accept those impressions without question.This week, I’ve been reflecting on how quickly I judge people, situations, and even myself. Outwardly, I might stay calm or respectful, but internally, I can be critical, frustrated, and stuck in my own assumptions. I hold onto opinions that I’ve built over years without really testing whether they still serve me—or if they ever did. And when I assume the worst, whether it’s about others or my own potential, I end up reinforcing the very patterns that keep me stuck.A lot of my hesitation in life comes from these unchecked impressions. I tell myself I’ll fail before I try. I assume things won’t work out, so I don’t take action. I revisit the past and treat my regrets like proof that nothing will change. And without realizing it, I give those thoughts authority they haven’t earned.But what I’m starting to understand is that there’s a small space between what happens and how I respond—and that space matters. Even if it’s just a brief pause, it gives me a chance to ask: Is this actually true? Is this within my control? And sometimes, just asking those questions is enough to loosen the grip those thoughts have on me.That doesn’t mean it’s easy. Years of negative thinking don’t disappear overnight. I still struggle with doubt, with escapism, and with trusting myself to make the right decisions. There are moments where I feel like I’m going in circles, repeating the same patterns despite knowing better. But awareness is a starting point. Recognizing that my thoughts aren’t always reliable—that’s something I can build on.There were moments this week where I caught myself, even if only after the fact. Moments where I realized I was taking something too personally, or assuming an outcome I couldn’t actually predict. And while I didn’t always handle things perfectly, I can see the value in slowing down, in questioning what my mind immediately tells me.This episode isn’t about having complete control over your thoughts. It’s about creating just enough distance to decide whether they deserve your trust.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your own thinking, or stuck in patterns that don’t seem to change, you’re not alone. I’m still figuring this out too—learning how to pause, to question, and to respond with a little more clarity each time.Because maybe growth doesn’t come from silencing every negative thought.Maybe it starts with simply asking… is this actually true?Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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What Can Go Wrong…Might

Apr 500:30:00Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I reflect on a simple but uncomfortable truth: a lot of what weighs me down isn’t just what goes wrong—it’s how unprepared I am when it does. Inspired by Seneca, I explore the idea that expecting life to be smooth only makes the inevitable disruptions feel heavier than they need to.This week, I’ve noticed how often I’m not guided by reason, but by habit, fear, and impulse. I fall into distractions, lose time to things that don’t move my life forward, and avoid facing the thoughts that make me uncomfortable. When things don’t go as planned—or when I think about everything that already hasn’t—I feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to move forward.A big part of that comes from how I view the past and the future. I spend too much time wishing I could change what’s already happened, while also assuming that what lies ahead won’t improve. That combination leaves me drifting—escaping into routines, distractions, and temporary comfort instead of taking meaningful action. And the more I repeat those patterns, the more they start to define how I see myself and what I believe I’m capable of.But this is where the Stoic idea of preparation starts to shift something for me. Instead of being blindsided by setbacks, I can begin to expect them. Not in a pessimistic way, but in a practical one. Things will go wrong. Plans will fall apart. People will disappoint me. And when I accept that upfront, I don’t have to crumble every time reality doesn’t match my expectations.That doesn’t mean I suddenly have everything figured out. I still struggle with consistency, with trusting my own judgment, and with aligning my actions to the life I say I want. I still wrestle with negative thinking, regret, and the urge to escape instead of engage. But I’m starting to see that resilience isn’t built in the moment things go wrong—it’s built beforehand, in how I prepare my mind.There were small moments this week where I handled things better than I used to. I stayed calm when work didn’t go my way. I followed through on my responsibilities even when I didn’t feel like it. Those aren’t huge victories, but they matter. They show me that change, even if it’s slow and inconsistent, is still possible.This episode isn’t about eliminating struggle. It’s about reducing the shock of it. It’s about training myself to expect difficulty, so I can respond with a little more clarity and a little less resistance when it shows up.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your habits, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or discouraged by how often things don’t go according to plan, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you—learning, slipping, adjusting, and trying again.Because maybe the goal isn’t to make life easier.Maybe it’s to become someone who can handle it when it’s not.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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Say No To The Need To Impress

Mar 2900:28:57Tap to summarize

In this episode of Navigate the Day, I take a hard look at what it really means to let go of the need to impress—and how subtle that need can be, even when I think I’ve moved past it. Inspired by Epictetus’ reminder that chasing approval pulls us away from our true purpose, I reflect on where I’m still living without clear direction, even if I’m no longer seeking validation from others the way I once did.There was a time in my life where I shaped my behavior around being liked, making people laugh, and standing out—even if it meant sacrificing my self-respect. Walking away from that lifestyle was growth, no question. But now I’m faced with a different challenge: not performing for others, but also not really standing for anything either. Without the pressure to impress, I’ve found myself drifting, caught between freedom and a lack of purpose.This week, I wrestle with the idea that not needing approval doesn’t automatically mean I’m living with intention. In fact, without clear values or goals, I’ve fallen into chasing comfort, distraction, and short-term relief instead of building something meaningful. I talk honestly about my habits, my avoidance of discomfort, and the internal fears that now influence my decisions far more than anyone else’s opinion ever did.At the same time, I recognize that this is part of the process. Growth isn’t always clean or linear. Letting go of external validation is only one step—the next is learning how to guide myself without it. That means getting clearer on what I actually value, being more honest about my trade-offs, and accepting that discipline—not approval—is what creates stability.This episode isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about acknowledging the gap between where I am and where I want to be, without pretending or performing. It’s about shifting the focus inward—not to criticize, but to start building something more solid and self-directed.If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re trying to become—no longer chasing approval, but still unsure of your path—this episode is for you.Say Hello Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic BooksPlease if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

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All episodes

The View From Above

Practice True Joy

Count Your Blessings

We Are A Product Of Our Habits

Show Don’t Tell

The Freedom Of Contempt

Impulse Control

Test Your Impressions

What Can Go Wrong…Might

Say No To The Need To Impress