Prompt: Write about the line between perseverance and stubbornness.
All right, the prompt for today, July 27th, 2026, is: Write about the line between perseverance and stubbornness.
I think, for me, one of the big things I’m working on is letting go of things when it comes to dealing with other people.
What’s happening—actually, I haven’t been driving much lately—but when I do drive now, I have to remind myself that somebody is going to piss me off. I just have to let it be. Whether somebody cuts me off or does something else, every time you leave the house and cross an intersection, somebody is going to piss you off. It happens all the time. It’s really about that restraint, that decision not to say or do anything that could make the situation worse.
For me, that’s where stubbornness comes in. That’s not perseverance. As much as I’d love for people to follow the traffic rules so that expectations are clear and everyone is safer, I’m not going to make that change. All I’m going to do is create a dangerous situation. And I have created dangerous situations by being stubborn.
So it’s really about switching that off, or learning how to hold back.
The perseverance part is different. You can’t just stop going out. You have to go out and do things, and I have to keep practicing staying calm. Driving is one of the bigger examples for me, but this happens with other people too. Just working with people requires perseverance.
Then I think about my business, and I don’t think I’m very perseverant because I’m afraid. I think I should persevere more. For me, that would mean breaking out of my comfort zone and actually pursuing the things I want.
Right now, I’m being stubborn in a passive way by choosing not to act because I’m afraid. I tell myself the outcome won’t work, or I’ll upset somebody, or I’ll ruin the name of SANA Stationery & Gifts. I can catastrophize almost any situation.
It’s a passive stubbornness where I tell myself, It’s okay. It’s fine. I don’t need to do that. They’ll figure it out.
Whereas, if I really pushed myself—and I think I should—I believe I would find some success. But even though I know success is possible, I don’t do it. Maybe that’s not even stubbornness. Maybe that’s just stupidity.
So I do think there’s a line between perseverance and stubbornness, but I think the distinction is actually pretty clear. When you’re being stubborn, you’re doing something irrational. Perseverance is different because you’re pursuing a meaningful end. Stubbornness is about clinging to the means, or refusing to act, simply for its own sake.
Not to get anywhere.
You can find this prompt and more at Letters Lounge. Of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this or any of the other prompts, so please leave a comment or a link to your blog or audio journal, and I’ll be sure to check it out.
All right, folks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
This transcript was lightly cleaned up with the help of AI to improve readability while preserving the original voice and intent of the recording.
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