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May 7
Day 127/365: Seneca on taking a break
Logan
May 07, 2025
Welcome to The Stoic Ledger, a daily money meditation from one of the Stoic sages.
127/365: Seneca on taking a break
“The mind must be given relaxation—it will rise improved and sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced—for they will quickly lose their fertility if never given a break—so constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of the mind. But it regains its powers if it is set free and relaxed for a while. Constant work gives rise to a certain kind of dullness and feebleness in the rational soul.” – Seneca
If you’ve been pushing hard for a while, a break will do your mind and body good. The space will be a recovery period that allows you to come back stronger. Continuing to push will result in fatigue, injury, and burnout.
As with the body, the mind needs recovery days to repair relax and unwind. These periods are counterintuitive. But if you administer them with strategic care, you’ll come back with more clarity and focus for your pursuit—you’ll be stronger.
Schedule a day, or a weekend, or a week to unplug and resist the temptation to keep pushing. Endurance in money and life is a byproduct of intentional training and intentional recovery. Take a break.
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