Old Masters, Old Wisdom
Read the Stoics themselves, ten minutes a day.
The 30-Day Stoic Reset is a printable journal: a month of short readings from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus, each with one small thing to practise that day and one question to answer at night.
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Most people meet Stoicism as quote cards, and it is hard to tell which lines are real and which were never in any book. The books themselves are long, the old English can be slow going, and reading alone rarely turns into a habit.
This journal keeps it small. One real passage a day, with its source named, a plain-English note beside it, and one thing to try before evening.
What's inside
- 30 days, two pages each. The left page has the passage in the thinker's own (translated) words, an "In plain words" note, "Try it today" and "Tonight's question". The right page has a morning intention and an evening review, with lines to write on and a box to tick.
- Four weeks with a theme each: What is yours to steer · The day in front of you · Other people · Steady ground, then two closing days on keeping the habit.
- A starting check before Day 1, and the same questions again in the closing review, so you can compare.
- Four one-page weekly reviews.
- How to use the journal, and a short page on the old translations and why we use them.
- Sources: every edition and every passage listed, so you can look any line up yourself.
- 76 pages, printable at home in black and white or colour, or fill it in on a tablet with any PDF app that lets you write on pages.
Who it's for
- You want something steadier than motivation videos, and you have ten minutes a day.
- You're curious about Stoicism and want to read Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca themselves, not quotes of uncertain origin.
- You like writing things down, or you'd like to start.
Who it's not for
- If you're looking for therapy, or for help with anxiety, depression or grief: this journal isn't that. Please talk to your doctor or a local support service.
- If you want modern English: the passages are quoted exactly from Victorian translations ("thou", "thy"). Each comes with a plain-English note, but the old wording stays.
- If you want a printed, bound book: this is a PDF you print yourself or fill in on a tablet.
FAQ
Are the quotes real?
Yes. Every passage is quoted word for word from the first editions of George Long's Marcus Aurelius (1862) and Epictetus (1877) and Aubrey Stewart's Seneca (1887 and 1889). Each one was checked against scans of those books, and each names its book and section. The full list is at the back of the journal.
Do I need to know anything about Stoicism?
No. Each day explains its passage in plain words, and the first pages tell you how the month works.
How do I get it?
Straight after payment, your download links appear on screen and arrive by email. The links work for 72 hours, and your order page gives you fresh links any time.
What format is it?
A PDF journal, 76 pages, in two paper sizes: US Letter and A4 (you get both). Print it at home, or write in it on a tablet. It is not a printed book.
Was AI used?
Yes. Written with AI assistance and edited by Lamp & Leaf Press. The passages themselves are the translators' own words, checked line by line against the original books. The cover is a museum painting, not an AI image.
Is this therapy or medical advice?
No. It's a journal for reflection. If things feel heavy, please talk to someone you trust, your doctor or a local support service.
Can I get a refund?
Because this is an instant download, there are no refunds once your download starts. If a file doesn't arrive or doesn't work, email us and we'll fix it, or refund you if we can't. This doesn't affect your legal rights.
Your right of withdrawal (EU digital content)
This is digital content delivered immediately. Before you pay, you agree that delivery starts straight away and confirm that you therefore lose your statutory 14-day right of withdrawal once the download begins.
Old Masters, Old Wisdom · Old books. Old paintings. Advice that still holds. · A Lamp & Leaf Press brand.