Trudging Through Your Own Life? Here's the Stoic Fix | Maria Semple

Trudging Through Your Own Life? Here's the Stoic Fix | Maria Semple

From 10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

April 17, 2026 · 54 min · Episode 1128

About this episode

Maria Semple discusses cognitive reframing, Stoicism, and how to achieve happiness without being attached to outcomes.

How to do your best work, reframe life's bullshit, and stop making your happiness hostage to outcomes. Maria Semple is the bestselling author of Today Will Be Different, Where'd You Go, Bernadette, and This One Is Mine. Before writing fiction, Maria wrote for TV. Her newest book is called Go Gentle . In this episode we talk about: Cognitive reframing tools to shift your mindset Maria's daily Stoic routine The limits of Stoicism What to do when mediating gives you anxiety The danger of "baited bounties" How to "get shit done" with non-attachment Using fantasy as a coping mechanism Related Episodes: Stoic Practices for Getting Rid of Mental Junk, Your Morning Routine, and Talking to the Dead | Ryan Holiday Stoic Advice for Handling Setbacks, Insults, and Death | William Irvine Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram , TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: William Irvine's "A Guide to the Good Life " Join Dan and Emmy Award-winning journalist Allison Gilbert at 92NY on May 17th for a live conversation about how mindfulness can deepen connection and combat loneliness, available in person and…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Harris

Guest: Maria Semple

Topics covered

  • Cognitive reframing
  • Stoicism
  • Mindset shift
  • Meditation
  • Non-attachment
  • Happiness

Keywords

  • Stoic routine
  • Meditation anxiety
  • Coping mechanisms
  • Mental health
  • Productivity

Sponsors

Rosetta Stone

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Today Will Be Different, Where'd You Go, Bernadette, This One Is Mine, Go Gentle

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