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In an age where distraction is just a ping away, finding peace can seem like a Herculean task.
Or at least, it did to me.
That was until a few years ago when I stumbled upon Ryan Holiday’s Stillness Is The Key.
If you are a regular reader, you’ll know that I’ve been going back through my library and re-reading books that had a profound impact on me in an effort to distill some of my takeaways on this site.
Stillness Is The Key is one such book.
One of the most compelling aspects of Holiday’s writings for me is his keen focus on timeless guidelines that have been aiding humanity in leading a life of purpose and clarity for centuries.
While some of these concepts will not be new to those of you who are already big on reading, Holiday’s approach to presenting is both instructive and evocative, often prompting introspection and self-reflection.
And the insights are really an antidote to the ever-present chaos in our lives, steering us towards true focus and inner peace.
In this short post, I narrow it down to just 5 that really affected me, but I would encourage you to pick up a copy if you haven’t already.
01 Journalling is transformative
Holiday emphasizes the timeless practice of journaling, a method once cherished by Stoic philosophers.
Through journaling, we gain a rare opportunity to declutter our minds, understand our emotions, and set clear intentions for our path ahead.
This isn’t just theory; it’s personal for me. When I first read the book, I found myself swamped with life’s challenges, feeling more reactive than proactive.
Encouraged by Holiday’s writings, I began journaling daily. The change was undeniable. This practice soon became my reflective mirror, highlighting my stress triggers and offering clarity.
If you are feeling lost in the relentless pace of modern life, journaling might just be your solution.
02 Embrace solitude for creativity and clarity
While our modern world often equates solitude with loneliness, Holiday paints it as a sanctuary for our minds, a space where we can rejuvenate and rediscover our innermost thoughts and feelings.
Today’s always-connected world bombards us with information and demands constant engagement. Amid this, solitude emerges as a rare luxury, a momentary respite where we can detach, reflect, and regain our bearings.
In essence, solitude isn’t about cutting off from the world, but rather connecting more deeply with oneself.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed or creatively blocked, deliberately seeking moments of solitude can offer a fresh perspective, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
03 Take a walk
Drawing from the habits of great minds throughout history, he portrays walking not merely as a physical exercise but as a means to mentally traverse through one’s thoughts and challenges.
Our contemporary lives often place us in sedentary environments, shackled to desks and screens. Yet, our minds, much like our bodies, crave movement.
I’ve personally witnessed the wonders of a simple walk. Whenever I feel trapped in a dilemma or clouded by stress (or writer’s block), I walk.
It’s fascinating how a change in physical perspective, step by step, can shift a mental one. Ideas that seemed elusive at my desk often crystallize during a walk.
Holiday’s emphasis on walking serves as a reminder of its understated power. It’s the easiest thing we all forget to do.
It’s not just a journey for our legs, but for our minds and souls.
Whether you’re seeking a spark of inspiration, a moment of reflection, or just an escape from routine, the simple act of walking can be a profound tool for inner stillness and focus.
04 Limit inputs to boost mental quality
Stillness Is The Key challenges the modern notion that more information necessarily equals more knowledge or insight.
The digital age presents an endless stream of news, updates, and alerts, making it tempting to equate staying constantly updated with staying ahead. But excessive input can lead to mental clutter, preventing us from discerning the truly valuable from the trivial.
Drawing inspiration from the book, I decided to audit my own consumption habits. I was stunned to realize the sheer volume of information I was taking in daily, from social media feeds to endless news cycles, much of which added little value to my life.
You might be too.
Holiday’s insights remind us that stillness isn’t just about physical or even mental quiet. It’s also about carefully selecting what information we allow into our minds.
]By being discerning with our inputs, we can elevate the quality of our thoughts, decisions, and, ultimately, our lives.
05 Master your desires for real inner freedom
One of the most profound messages in the book revolves around reigning in our desires; a principle common to many philosophies including Stoicism and Epicureanism.
And as I see it, it’s something most of us need to do.
While our society often encourages the pursuit of more—be it wealth, fame, or possessions—the true path to contentment lies in understanding and mastering our desires.
Desire, left unchecked, can become a relentless force that drives us but never satisfies us. The chase for more can often leave us feeling empty, always on the verge of the next big thing but never truly content with the present.
After reading this, I took a moment to reflect upon my own desires. Were they genuine aspirations or just products of societal pressures?
By consciously evaluating them, I found that many were externally influenced, pushing me on a path not of my own choosing. Taking a cue from Holiday’s insights, I started to prioritize desires that aligned with my core values and long-term goals, while gently letting go of the ones that didn’t serve my true purpose.
Holiday’s teachings on desire are a powerful reminder of the freedom that comes from within.
When we learn to distinguish between fleeting wants and genuine needs, we unlock a level of inner stillness and satisfaction that external achievements alone can’t provide.
It’s not about denying ourselves but about understanding what truly brings value and meaning to our lives.
The bottom line
This isn’t just a book; it’s a guide to navigating the tumultuous waters of our modern world using age-old principles.
From the practicality of journaling and walking to the profound mastery over desire, Holiday offers actionable insights that can radically shift our perspective.
By embracing the lessons and implementing them in our daily lives, we can hope to achieve not just focus, but also a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Have any more takeaways from this book? We’d love to hear them in the comments.
If you enjoyed this post, you will probably also like our other takeaways on other great books which you can find here.