I was severely ill a few years ago after contracting COVID-19 and am very fortunate to have survived and made a full recovery. At the time, one of life’s curveballs had landed and the jigsaw puzzle of my life was everywhere; I had unexpectedly confronted my mortality and was physically and mentally unable to function as usual – all in just over a week. I was placed on immediate sick leave from my work, and felt all the impotence of rage, unable to help the situation and understand the circumstances. I spent much of my time angry and frustrated at being sat on Life’s bench, deprived of my usual career and personal pursuits.

In lucky circumstance, very early in my career I met Justin Stead, Founder of the Aurelius Foundation, and a few weeks into my (angry) recovery asked him for advice on my career and circumstances. Justin introduced me to Stoic thought and presented me with a golden opportunity to pause and consider how I was processing the circumstances and my perspective. Stoicism provided thought models and principles to interpret the experience and manage much more constructively during recovery and, beyond, in actively choosing how to live.