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A quiet interstate at dawn seen through a lightly wet windshield, soft light on trees and sky.

Expecting Trouble-Premeditatio Malorum

August 20, 2025August 20, 2025 B. John 2348 Views 1 Comment Stoicism, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Resilience, Seneca, Premeditatio Malorum, Dichotomy of Control, Stoic practices, Gratitude, mental rehearsal

This entry is part 27 of 47 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

Trouble will come. That is not a threat. It is the world as it is. Premeditatio malorum is simple training for a steady heart. Picture what could go wrong. Picture your first response. Keep it short. Keep it concrete. You cannot script life. You can be ready to meet it. Then even hard days make room for small good things. A call from a friend. Light on the trees at dusk. Thanks for what remains.

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When the Other Shoe Drops: Practicing Premeditatio Malorum

August 10, 2025August 9, 2025 B. John 1190 Views 0 Comments Premeditatio Malorum, Massimo Pigliucci

This entry is part 22 of 47 in the series Journey Through Stoicism

When I lost my job, I wasn’t surprised, but I wasn’t ready. In this essay, I explore the Stoic practice of Premeditatio Malorum, the art of imagining setbacks before they happen, and how it can help us meet life’s blows with steadiness instead of panic.