Saturday, August 2, 2025

In a world overflowing with productivity hacks, meditation apps, and endless to-do lists, it’s refreshing to rediscover a 2,500-year-old practice that’s as relevant today as it was in ancient Greece. This quote from Pythagoras, the renowned philosopher and mathematician, offers a simple but profound habit: reflect on your day before you sleep.

It’s not about guilt. It’s not about perfection. It’s about intentional living.

🧠 Who Was Pythagoras?

You might remember Pythagoras from high school geometry, but his legacy goes far beyond the Pythagorean Theorem. Pythagoras was also a spiritual teacher and philosopher who believed in the importance of moral integrity, disciplined living, and the pursuit of inner harmony.

As part of the Pythagorean way of life, his followers engaged in daily self-examination—a practice designed to build ethical character and sharpen awareness. Each night, they were instructed to mentally revisit their actions with three guiding questions:

1. What wrong did I do?

2. What good did I accomplish?

3. What did I forget to do?

These questions aren’t just reflective—they’re transformational.

🔍 Why This Ancient Practice Still Matters

We live in an age of constant input—notifications, news, noise. It's easy to go through the day on autopilot and collapse into bed with a mind still racing. But what if, instead of scrolling through social media, you scrolled through your soul?

Pythagoras offers us an intentional pause. A moment to turn inward. A ritual to reconnect with our values, track our growth, and course-correct where needed.

✨ The Three Questions, Expanded

1. What wrong did I do?

This is not self-criticism—it’s self-honesty. Did you speak harshly? Break a promise? Neglect something important? By gently examining missteps, you open the door to growth, humility, and responsibility.

2. What good did I accomplish?

Celebrate your wins—big or small. Whether you helped a friend, followed through on a task, or simply stayed calm in a stressful moment, acknowledging your good actions builds self-worth and motivation.

3. What did I forget to do?

This question helps bridge intention and action. Did you forget to call someone back? Skip a personal goal? Postpone something meaningful? Noticing forgotten tasks keeps you aligned with what matters most.

🛠️ How to Make This a Daily Ritual

You don’t need candles or crystals—just a quiet moment and a willingness to be real with yourself.

Try this:

• Set aside 5 minutes before bed.

• Sit quietly or write in a journal.

• Answer the three questions honestly.

• Set an intention for tomorrow based on what you discover.
  

📝 Pro tip: Use a dedicated journal or template. Here’s a simple format:

🟥 What wrong did I do today?  

🟩 What good did I accomplish?  

🟨 What did I forget to do?

📚 Want to Go Deeper?

Here are some excellent resources to explore:

Books

• The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• The Art of Living by Epictetus (Lebell edition)

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

• The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Apps & Journals

• Daylio, Reflectly, or Journey apps

• Five-Minute Journal

• Printable Pythagorean Reflection Templates

Podcasts & Videos

• The Daily Stoic podcast

• YouTube: “How to Reflect on Your Day in 5 Minutes” (Matt D’Avella, Thomas Frank)

• Classical Wisdom: The Pythagorean Way of Life

For the full resource list, see the end of this article.

🌱 In Closing

Pythagoras believed that a well-examined day leads to a well-examined life. And today, with all the distractions that pull us away from ourselves, this nightly practice feels more vital than ever.

So tonight, before your head hits the pillow, take a moment.

Ask yourself:

• What did I do wrong?

• What did I do right?

• What did I forget?

Then rest—not just to sleep, but to reset.

“Let sleep find you at peace with yourself, ready to grow again tomorrow.”