Premeditatio malorum is a Stoic exercise where you imagine the things that could go wrong.
By being aware of the things that could go wrong, we can prepare ourselves to be resilient if they do.
This isn’t to say we should worry about something that “might” happen. Rather it is being prepared for it if it does.
We don’t worry about getting into an accident every time we drive the car. We take out insurance to help prepare us for if it does.
We also don’t avoid going to the gym or exercising out of fear of DOMS. Instead, we make sure we get plenty of rest and have an adequate diet.
Seneca wrote:
What is quite unlooked for is more crushing in its effect, and unexpectedness adds to the weight of a disaster. This is a reason for ensuring that nothing ever takes us by surprise. We should project our thoughts ahead of us at every turn and have in mind every possible eventuality instead of only the usual course of events…
Isn’t it time that we stopped worry about the “what ifs”, planned for what could’s and did it anyway?
Cameron Blewett is an independent writer and publisher. He helps professionals and organisations turn complex ideas into clear, authoritative writing through Dark Quill Agency. His work spans projects including GreyBeardedVegan.blog, ItsAllAbout.coffee and VeganStoic.com.
Have you seen these recent posts?
- Silence Is a Statement
- The Myth of Work-Life Balance
- Real Change Doesn’t Go Viral
- Who Really Owns Your Time?
- Raising Kids in a Filtered World
- Comfort is the New Addiction
Cameron Blewett is an independent writer and publisher. He helps professionals and organisations turn complex ideas into clear, authoritative writing through Dark Quill Agency. His work spans projects including GreyBeardedVegan.blog, ItsAllAbout.coffee and VeganStoic.com.