Shed Your Baggage
“The trip doesn’t exist that can set you beyond the reach of cravings, fits of temper, or fears. So long as you carry the sources of your troubles about with you, those troubles will continue to harass and plague you wherever you wander on land or on sea.”
—Seneca
Letters From A Stoic
In modern life, we often find ourselves believing that escaping our surroundings can free us from our personal issues—be they stress, dissatisfaction, or unhappiness.
We daydream that a vacation, a new job, or even moving to a new city will solve our problems.
But Seneca is reminding us that our problems are often not tied to a place; they are anchored within us. If you're prone to anger, anxiety, or constant desire, changing your scenery will not magically erase these tendencies. They'll follow you like shadows, regardless of where you are or what you have.
Take a moment to reflect on what troubles you carry within. Are there cravings, fears, or tempers that seem to surface no matter the external circumstances? To truly tackle these issues, one must start an internal journey rather than a physical one.
It's by confronting these personal challenges directly—through self-reflection, meditation, or honest conversation—that we begin to find peace. Next time you're looking to make a change because something feels amiss, consider first if what you need to change isn't where you are, but something deeper within yourself.
Could the solution to your restlessness be found not in a new destination, but in a new perspective or personal growth?