„We must recognize many things on which we depend and which we consider good.
Otherwise, the courage that must constantly prove itself will dwindle. The soul’s uniqueness will be lost, for it can only set itself apart by dismissing as void what the people most desire.“-Seneca, Moral Letters, 74.12b-12.

What seems to be a harmless weakness can quickly develop into a full-blown addiction. Whether it’s the coffee in the morning, the five spoonfuls of sugar in our tea, or Instagram before bed. No sooner do we realize it than these, in and of themselves, harmless habits take over our lives.

These little urges and compulsions, which we think we have under control, gnaw away at our freedom and sovereignty, they cloud our clear thoughts. We think we have everything under control – but do we really?

„A dependent once described it this way: ‚Dependence is the loss of the freedom to do without'“

• The Daily Stoic, Ryann Holiday 24.17-18

Let’s reclaim that freedom.

What your addictions may be is entirely up to the individual: Sugar? Drugs? Grumbling? Gossip? Ignorance? Fingernail biting? The only thing that can help you here is to regain the ability to do without, that is one of the keys to clarity and self-control.