XXI. How to Overcome Bad Habits
Treat yourself with a little humor and lesser concern and you’ll win.
P.S: This and previous meditations will only be available to paid members after a week. Support the publication to access it and the full archives.
“Whenever you get an impression of some pleasure, as with any impression, guard yourself from being carried away by it, let it await your action, give yourself a pause. After that, bring to mind both times, first when you have enjoyed the pleasure and later when you will regret it and hate yourself. Then compare to those the joy and satisfaction you’d feel for abstaining altogether. However, if a seemingly appropriate time arises to act on it, don’t be overcome by its comfort, pleasantness, and allure —but against all of this, how much better the consciousness of conquering it.” — Epictetus
Sometimes willpower doesn't work to beat bad habits.
It can be like swimming against a turbulent stream, which continually chips at our self-esteem like the rocks at the banks.
Soon, thinking ourselves high, mighty, …
