Expect the Unexpected
The one always on the lookout easily endures.
“Fortune falls heavily on those for whom she’s unexpected. The one always on the lookout easily endures.” - Seneca
When you think about the unexpected, it rarely feels real. It feels distant, almost impossible, as if life would never dare interrupt the flow and rhythm you’ve worked so hard to create. You pray. You try to be a good person. You keep your head down and do your part. A part of you wants to believe that goodness is a fortress- that because your intentions are pure, nothing terrible should happen. And yet the world doesn’t run on that bargain.
I know how draining it is to imagine every possible disruption. It feels like too much work, too much emotional weight, too much vigilance. Most days you’d rather cross your fingers, say a silent prayer, and trust that the universe simply won’t test you. You’d rather not imagine losing the conveniences that glisten and easen your life- the car that gives you freedom of mobility, the phone that holds your memories, the money that oils the wheels of your day. These things become familiar, almost needed in how they comfort you. Losing them isn’t just logistical; you get emotional. It aches. It destabilizes us. It brings out a version of you that feels small and frantic, even when you knew it’s all temporary.
And when it comes to people, the fear grows fonder. You don’t want to consider a life where someone you love is gone. You don’t want to picture yourself navigating a world missing someone who meant the world to you. Even imagining it feels cruel. So you don’t. You push it away. You tell yourself they’ll be here. You tell yourself you’ll figure it out when you must. You unconsciously tell yourself that love should be enough to keep the world from taking too much from you. But deep down, you know life isn’t a contract. Loss comes when it chooses, not when you’re ready.
Expecting the unexpected isn’t an invitation to live in dread. I just want you to build a mind that doesn’t fizzle out when life withdraws its comfort and you get problem after fucking problem. A mind that doesn’t panic every time things don’t go as expected. A mind that can feel the sting of loss- because you’re human- without letting the pain pull you into despair. When you practice this stance, you’re preparing yourself to remain whole when disaster inevitably circles your path.
And you’ve done it before. You’ve known poverty, and you survived. You’ve lost people, and you found a way to keep going. You’ve watched the momentum toward your dreams slow down, and somehow patience grew in their place. You learned to rebuild from the ground up, to calm your breathing when everything got overwhelming, to hold on to the few truths that matter- that you can endure, that you can adapt, and that nothing external- not a lack of money, not ill reputation, not inconvenience- can undo the resilience that’s already in you.
So, keep training your impressions. Expect the unexpected.
Join 77,700 other Stoics,
Announcement: My Black Friday sale is live. You can get The Stoic Manual for 50% off. That’s $100/year instead of $200/yr. Or Lifetime Access for a one-time fee of $210 instead of $400. All books & bonuses included- forever. Featured,
P.P.S: Most people loved the series on How to Deepen Your Friendships, Part I, Part II & Part III. Also check out the practical entries on How To Deal With Toxic People, How to Process & Overcome Grief & How to Prevent and Overcome Burnout. Happy reading!
Did you like this entry? Tell me about it.
I always enjoy hearing from you, and for you to hear from each other.
Please leave a like (❤️), tell me what you think (💬) in the comment section and share this post with someone so that more people can discover and benefit from it.
Support The Stoic Manual and access 250+ premium in-depth essays: lessons & mini-courses in the art of living, consolations for difficult times, Relationship Mini-courses, The Wealth Playbook, Leadership Skills, Social Skills and Health Tools for a virile and distinguished life.
"You’ve watched the momentum toward your dreams slow down, and somehow patience grew in their place." - I feel this
Expected the unexpected is training your brain to build resilience, which translates perfectly to any skill, situation or ability. Thanks for the reminder to stay strong!