Stoicism in Practice: Journaling, Reflection & Virtue for 2026
Details
New Year's Day Wisdom
Begin 2026 by reflecting on the gifts from the past year and releasing the baggage. An alternative to the usual resolutions.
What to Bring: **
A notebook, a pen, comfortable cushion or blanket, and a virtuous intention to enjoy the year ahead.
📍 Event Logistics:
Meeting Point (Shade & Cover):
We will meet under the permanent Covered Grandstand or Pavilion in Petersham Park. This structure offers guaranteed shade and protection from rain, ensuring a comfortable and focused journaling environment regardless of the weather.
Getting There:**
By Train: Petersham Park is an easy 5-10 minute walk from Petersham Station (T2 Inner West & Leppington Line). Exit the station and head south toward the park grounds.
By Car/Parking: There is usually ample untimed street parking available on the residential streets bordering the park (e.g., West St, Station St) and free parking along the dedicated Aquatic Centre car park section. As it is a public holiday, parking availability may be better than usual.
We will follow a three-part process:
1. Clear the Clutter
- Audit 2025, begin by confronting non-essential baggage we encountered.
This involves identifying the habits, limiting beliefs, negative judgments, and emotional reactions that acted as anchors. We practice The Discipline of Assent by ruthlessly questioning every faulty judgment and attachment that is not within our power (i.e., Indifferents). This is the crucial first step in clearing the mental "clutter."
2. Keep the Wisdom (The Gems)
We then shift to The Discipline of Desire, seeking out the valuable lessons embedded within our past experiences. Every setback, every moment of distress, contained a kernel of wisdom. We will journal on these "Gems," understanding that true Prokopē is built not on avoiding difficulty, but on extracting Virtue (Courage, Justice, Temperance, Wisdom) from it.
3. The Stoic Commitment (Action for 2026)
The session culminates in defining our commitment for the new year. By applying the Dichotomy of Control, we will separate our intentions into two distinct categories:
External Outcomes: These are recognized as Indifferent and left to Fate (Amor Fati).
Internal Actions: These are our commitments to exercise Virtue in every moment, as this is the only thing truly in our control.
You will leave with a clear, rational, and resilient framework for making 2026 a year defined by purposeful, virtuous action.
This session incorporates a journaling structure inspired by the work of psychotherapist Terri Cole, adapted for a Stoic framework.