Expect Trouble Embrace It Anyway

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 This week, I’m sitting with a hard truth—life doesn’t owe me peace, ease, or predictability. And as much as I want things to go a certain way, they rarely do. Seneca’s words hit home: it’s not the pain itself that crushes us—it’s the surprise of it. That unexpected hit to the gut. I’ve felt that recently. I’m still wrestling with the fallout of a relationship I thought would be my future. I still catch myself wishing it would all magically reverse, even though I know better. And that kind of wishful thinking? It’s been holding me back more than I care to admit. 

This episode is about facing that pattern in myself—my tendency to drift, to ruminate, to fight against reality instead of learning to meet it as it is. I talk honestly about what it's like to feel stuck in negative thought loops, overwhelmed by regret, and unsure of what comes next. But I also talk about what it means to prepare for life, not by numbing out or giving up, but by expecting trouble... and showing up anyway. 

Stoicism isn’t about becoming cold or indifferent. It’s about building a mindset that can weather anything. Through journaling, reflection, and a bit of hard self-honesty, I’m realizing I can’t control much—but I can control how I respond. I can meet disappointment without letting it define me. I can pause before I react. And I can continue to try, even when it’s exhausting. 

I don’t have all the answers—but maybe that’s the point. Life is less about figuring everything out and more about becoming someone who can handle the unknown with steadiness. Someone who can say, “Ah, there you are” when hardship arrives—and keep moving forward anyway. 

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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