Epictetus said we are not disturbed by things, but by the views we take of them. That line reads like philosophy and sometimes it feels distant — until it shows up in a crowded day as something very immediate. Yesterday, a tiny inconvenience (a missed connection) swelled into a story in my head: I started telling myself I was unlucky, disorganised, and falling behind. It was one of those narratives that makes the noise louder than the facts. Remembering Epictetus, I tried a small correction: I labelled the story—“story of bad luck”—and then I asked, “What’s one practical step I can take right now?” Naming it felt like opening a window. Practice (two minutes): 1. Notice the story you’re telling about what happened (name it in a phrase: “I’m unlucky,” “I can’t cope,” etc.). 2. Ask: is that a fact or an interpretation? Say one sentence. 3. Choose one small corrective action you can do within the next hour. 4. Share the phrase + the action below. Drop your phrase and action in the comments — I’ll highlight a few so we can learn from how naming shifts the moment.

1. Name one worry on your mind right now. 2. Imagine a circle: inside = things you control; outside = things you don’t. 3. Choose one small, controllable action you’ll take in the next 24 hours.Reply with your action and tag one person to hold you accountable. Small steps create steady change.

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