So, rational agency. Let’s tackle this beast right now, because it’s a big one: human beings can make decisions. The more you think about that, the more incredible it seems. In a universe governed entirely by blind cause and effect, something somehow became capable of seeing cause and effect for itself. It developed the capacity … Read more
October 21, 2025 by Matt Category: Stoicism & Work Have you ever experienced the sensation that you’re skiving at work, while getting everything done? Well, you’re not alone; you’re just underworked, and it’s surprisingly common. It’s disquieting, isn’t it? The meetings are civilised, the deadlines generous, and your salary clears on time. Yet the days … Read more
October 2025 by Matt There’s a quiet kind of misery that creeps into modern work – the half-done project you swore you’d finish “when things calm down.” But it hangs around indefinitely, adding to the clutter of your mind and disturbing your inner peace. And it’s a symptom of the modern habit of living in … Read more
The rise of chaos Things are getting chaotic out there. I’m talking about the socio-political situation, of course, but also the general disorder in our daily routines. I see it in my own life: emails go unanswered for weeks, if at all, and simple commitments seem harder to secure. This isn’t meant as a judgement. … Read more
Ambition is useful. Disappointment is not. Here is a Stoic way to pursue big goals without turning your life into a cycle of frustration.
How resilient is your career? Everyone is subject to the external shocks that can see us lose our jobs, whether that’s through redundancy, leaving a toxic culture or – it happens – getting fired. I’m not talking about emotional resilience. Without a solid, tangible foundation, that feeling of stability might as well be built on … Read more
Most of us have worked with someone who seems determined to ruin our day. Every day. The client who wants a quick chat when you’ve got a minute, and then takes up 45 of them. The manager who wants you to make the presentation more (insert vague adjective here). The colleague who constantly interrupts during … Read more
On Stoic strength in a culture of sensitivity There’s a strange kind of prestige attached to being offended these days. Not only is it seen as proof that you care, but it can also earn you something in return. A public apology, a carefully-worded correction, a grovelling promise that it will never happen again. And … Read more
On learning when to listen – and when to take a step back. We live in a culture that treats emotions as commands. If you feel something, it must be true. If something upsets you, it must be wrong. And if you’re moved by a story, an image, or an advert, then whatever follows must … Read more
Most people don’t mean to perform. But give them an audience, and they do. They defend ideas they don’t fully believe. They push back harder than they normally would. They become more status-conscious, less receptive, and far more focused on appearances than outcomes. This isn’t a moral failing; it’s just psychology. The moment a conversation … Read more