Practicing Poverty

The Stoic philosopher, Seneca, famously advocated practicing poverty at least once a month. During that time he would wear ragged clothing, fast for most of the day, and sleep on the floor.

Regularly practicing poverty does two things. First, it makes you appreciate your current situation and reminds you that happiness isn’t tied to wealth. Second, when you experience rock bottom and ask yourself, “Is this the condition I feared?”, and realize it isn’t that bad, it diminishes the fear of failure.