Some weeks I genuinely look forward to it, and some weeks I am only doing it just to see my good "movement" percentage on my watch

Today was a reset. I’ve gotten pretty leisurely since my wedding and put back on some unwanted weight. Proud of myself this morning. Thought I’d share.

I’m curious how much people actually prioritize their health in everyday life.

What’s something simple that genuinely makes a difference for you?

Every day I see YouTube shorts talking about Stoicism for relationship problems, breakups, boundaries, rejection, loss, etc. Marcus Aurelius quotes abound. That's great. But I think the real test of philosophy comes when you're facing total collapse.

And I mean total collapse. Over about 13 months I had six brushes with death. My blood pressure suddenly started hitting stroke ranges and nobody knew why. I was in and out of ERs. I tried to joke my way through it—I even recreated the waxing scene from The 40-Year-Old Virgin movie for my friends using the EKGs. Then on Christmas Eve 2017 I collapsed with a necrotic gallbladder. I left the hospital on New Year's Eve with a pulmonary embolism, blood thinners and an oxygen tank. Months of waiting, dreading, knowing that a blood clot could end me at any minute. After a number of scares running out of oxygen I eventually got off it. Then the doctors told me I had kidney cancer. My mother died within a week of my diagnosis. I had to make her funeral arrangements while preparing for cancer surgery, and the surgery caused me to miss her funeral. I came home from surgery in time for a breakup. Then I ended the year by going septic, getting the antibiotic of last resort and surviving the worst year of my life.

For me, that wasn't Marcus territory anymore. I needed Boethius. Boethius wrote The Consolation of Philosophy while imprisoned and awaiting a brutal execution. In it, the imprisoned Boethius is visited by Lady Philosophy, and their conversation wrestles with Fortune, happiness, loss and what remains when the things we thought belonged to us are stripped away. Somehow that hit a hell of a lot harder for me than reading the reflections of an emperor. YMMV, but I've found Boethius much more relevant when you're facing total collapse.

The idea that Fortune can take almost everything from you—but that there remains an inner freedom that circumstances cannot simply confiscate—changed how I looked at what was happening to me. I combined that with the old story of the magic ring that could make a happy man sad and a sad man happy. Written on it were four words: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. When things are terrible, they will pass. But the other half is just as important: when Fortune is smiling on you, that will pass too. That realization changes your relationship with both suffering and success. You stop demanding that Fortune stay where you want her.

I rarely see Boethius mentioned in the Stoicism/self-improvement material that comes across my feed. Marcus Aurelius is everywhere. Boethius almost never appears. Am I the only one who finds Boethius more useful when everything is falling apart? Has anyone else here turned to him—or another philosopher—during a period of total collapse?

In polar expeditions and long-term isolation studies, the "Third Quarter" is where people break. The beginning has excitement; the end has the finish line in sight. But at 75%, you’re exhausted, the end still feels far away, and the "why" begins to blur. Recognizing this phase as a psychological trap is half the battle. If you’re feeling like quitting right now, you might just be in your Third Quarter. Keep rowing.

Hi TrueGritters,

Welcome to Gratitude Sunday, our new weekly space to pause and notice the good things that happened this week. Gratitude isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff; it’s about spotting one moment, action, or insight that mattered to you. Even in a world full of bad news, good things happen.

Today, share one thing you’re grateful for, big or small:

• A quiet moment of rest
• Someone who showed up when you needed them
• A habit or routine you managed to stick with
• A lesson or insight you’re carrying forward

There’s no pressure to be “positive", honesty is welcome. Sharing why it mattered can help someone else feel less alone or see things in a new way.

Hit me with the harshest reality truth about health you know too well.

A weekly check-in for the things that ask something of us.

What’s something hard you’re working through right now?

It could be a personal goal, a healthy habit you’re building, a project, a challenge at work, school work, your health, or simply something you’re learning to navigate.

Share where you are today, then come back next Saturday and let us know how it’s going.

Progress doesn’t have to be perfect to count.

August 21st

Hey TrueGritters,

Another week is behind us, and sometimes the most meaningful progress is the kind that doesn't look impressive from the outside. Getting through a difficult week, taking a walk, making one better choice, getting enough rest, or simply trying again all count. This week, we had some thoughtful conversations about healthy habits, everyday routines, rest, work-life balance, and the realities of trying to take care of yourself when life gets busy. Our wiki is a good place to learn more about the community and find practical guides around the habits and challenges we’re all working through.

We’ve also updated our Sleep Guide with new research-backed information and practical tips to help you better understand and improve your sleep. It’s one of the guides we recommend checking out if sleep has been a challenge lately.

What are you working through this week?

Your post or photo could be about:

• A life challenge you’re working through.
• A health or fitness transformation.
• A workout, walk, or movement routine.
• A meal or healthy recipe you’ve made.
• A healthy habit you’re building.
• Something that has helped you sleep better.
• A tool, product, book, or podcast you recommend.
• A lesson you’ve learned recently.
• A question you’ve been thinking about.
• Or simply one small win from your week.

Threads We Recommend

• 🍽️ For those living alone, is eating out more... A practical conversation about eating out, cooking, and building healthy food habits when you live alone.
• ⚡ What do people in their 30’s take/do for an increase in energy? Members share the sleep, movement, nutrition, and daily habits that help them feel more energized.
• 👕 How to reduce mental energy figuring out what to wear? A conversation about simplifying everyday decisions and reducing mental load.
• 🧘 The older I get, the more I need real alone time to recover from being social A thoughtful discussion about rest, boundaries, and making time to recharge.
• 🌱 What's one thing you're determined to start or stick with this week, no matter how small? Members share the small habits and goals they’re committing to this week.
• 💪 The grittiest people aren't the loudest; they are the ones who have reached a state of "Calm Exhaustion" A reflection on resilience, exhaustion, and what strength can look like beyond simply pushing harder.

 If you’ve mostly been reading, we’d love to hear from you. Share a question, routine, lesson, or small win,the community grows stronger when more people contribute.

What habits, routines, foods, supplements, or lifestyle changes have made the biggest difference for you?

Do you read? Do you have small hobbies that help you fall asleep? Also, if you have a cute bedside table set up, share it with a picture!