Katie Stidolph aka The Savvy Stoic

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Katie Stidolph aka The Savvy Stoic

🌿 Your compass to Stoic wisdom, guiding modern minds through life's chaos, towards living well. 🧭🍃 But she didn't stop there. Yet, Katie is more than a speaker.
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A creative powerhouse hailing from the vibrant North East of England, Katie Stidolph, aka The Savvy Stoic, is your guide through Stoicism's ancient yet enduringly relevant philosophy. Fuelled by a potent blend of business acumen, a deep-seated passion for classics, and a philosophical mind, Katie emerged from Newcastle University armed with a First-Class Honours degree. Her captivating talks have

brought Stoicism to life for countless individuals, showcasing how this time-tested philosophy can help us leap over life's hurdles and become the best versions of ourselves. She's a practitioner. Under the banner of The Savvy Stoic, she doesn't just preach these principles - she lives them. With authenticity and genuine passion, she invites others to join her in this journey of growth, understanding, and peaceful existence. With The Savvy Stoic, you're not just exploring a philosophy but discovering a lifestyle. One that cultivates resilience celebrates wisdom, and embraces the tranquillity we often forget in our bustling lives. Ready to embark on this journey with Katie, The Savvy Stoic? Dive into a world where ancient wisdom meets modern living, and learn how to live well amidst the beautiful chaos of life.

31/08/2026

🌊 Mindful Monday: Ending the Month Mindfully 🌊

It’s the last day of the month, and it feels like quite a fitting day to slow down a little and take stock, especially with it being a bank holiday.

Yesterday I went on a lovely walk with a close friend, and although I was so close to cancelling the day before, I’m really glad I didn’t.

I’ve felt pretty drained socially, mentally and physically over the last few weeks. Work has been manic, and I think I’ve just needed some time to properly switch off. But yesterday actually energised me more than anything. Getting outside, being in nature and spending time with a friend I hadn’t seen in months took my mind off work and life for a while, and it was exactly what I needed.

It reminded me that protecting your energy doesn’t always mean saying no. Sometimes rest is absolutely the right answer, but sometimes pushing through that initial tiredness and doing something you know will be good for you can leave you feeling so much better afterwards.

And maybe that’s a nice thought to end the month on too.

What do you want to leave behind in August? What do you want to make a little more space for going into September? 💭

For me, today is about keeping things simple. A few life admin bits, some shopping, a little batch cooking for the week ahead, taking my girls Nia and Lily for a nice walk and giving them a wash afterwards , then home for a cosy evening with my partner. 🥰

Nothing groundbreaking. Just a slower day, some fresh air, good company and a bit of a reset before a new month begins.

So, if you’ve been putting off seeing a friend, getting outside, or doing something you know will probably make you feel better, maybe this is your little reminder to carve out some time for it. I’m certainly glad I did yesterday.

Happy Bank Holiday, happy last day of August, and happy Mindful Monday. 💛

27/08/2026

**🍽️ Thankful Thursday: The Joy of Sharing Good Food 🍽️**

Since coming back from Barcelona, I’ve become slightly obsessed with tapas.

To be fair, I’ve always been someone who prefers lots of little snacky things rather than one huge plate of food, so tapas might actually be my perfect way to eat. 😂

I love getting a little bit of everything, trying things I might not have ordered as a full dish, and, of course, sharing it all with someone else.

We recently went to Alan The B in Gosforth, and it was such a lovely find. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was great, and these plates disappeared very quickly!

For me, food is about so much more than simply eating. Some of my favourite memories involve sitting around a table, ordering far too many little plates, trying something new, and enjoying good conversation along the way.

So, this Thankful Thursday, I’m feeling grateful for good food, lovely places, and having someone to share the last bite with. 💛

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26/08/2026

🖤 Wisdom Wednesday: Remember That You Will Die 🖤

"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”— Marcus Aurelius

I snapped this photo while walking through a graveyard, and there was something rather striking about seeing this crow perched quietly on the cross.

The Stoics regularly reflected on death, not to be morbid, but to remind themselves of the value of the life they still had.

Memento mori. Remember that you will die.

It sounds gloomy, but there is freedom in it. Our time is limited, so use it well. Say what needs to be said. Spend time with the people you love. Notice the ordinary moments. Stop putting everything meaningful off until some imagined “later.”

We cannot choose how much time we are given, but we can choose what we do with today. 🖤

25/08/2026

**⚖️ Temperance Tuesday: Sometimes Less Gives You More ⚖️**

I love ordering wine by the glass.

There’s something nice about choosing one glass to go with what you’re eating, enjoying it properly, and then having the option of trying something completely different afterwards.

It’s especially good somewhere with an interesting wine list. Rather than committing to a whole bottle, you can explore a little more, try something you might not normally choose, and still keep things relatively moderate.

This glass was enjoyed alongside some amazing tapas at Alan The B in Gosforth, and it got me thinking about temperance again.

We sometimes think moderation means missing out, but I’m not sure it does.

Sometimes having less makes us pay more attention to what we’re actually having. One really nice glass of wine can be enjoyed for exactly what it is without automatically needing to become two, three, or the rest of the bottle.

Temperance doesn’t have to take the pleasure out of something. Sometimes, it helps us appreciate the pleasure that was already there. 🍷

24/08/2026

☕ Mindful Monday: The Week Hasn’t Happened Yet ☕

How often do you find yourself worrying about something before it has even happened? A meeting later in the week. An appointment. A difficult conversation. A busy few days ahead.

Before we know it, we’ve lived through the whole thing several times in our heads, and reality hasn’t even had a chance to arrive yet. It’s something I’m guilty of too, which is why I’ve started reminding myself of something very simple:

The week hasn’t happened yet.

We can prepare for what is coming without carrying it around with us before it arrives. When our minds wander too far ahead, sometimes we just need to come back to what we actually know, what we can do right now, and the day we’re actually living.

Monday only asks us to meet Monday. The rest of the week can wait its turn. 💛

Read the full post over at Wise Words: 👇

https://thesavvystoic.substack.com/p/the-week-hasnt-happened-yet

21/08/2026

🐝 Fortitude Friday: Even the Bee Needs to Rest 🐝

This little bee landed on our window the other day and stayed there for a while, seemingly taking a well-earned rest. It made me smile, but it also felt like a rather fitting little reminder.

We often think of fortitude as pushing through. Keeping going. Being strong even when we’re tired. And sometimes, that is exactly what is required of us. But resilience doesn’t mean we have to keep moving every second.

This week has been a particularly busy one for me. It’s my first week back after some time off, with Results Day, longer working days, and a six-day working week thrown into the mix. So, today, I think I’ll be taking inspiration from this bee. 🐝

Rest when you need to. Catch your breath. Give yourself a moment.

Then, when you’re ready, carry on.

Fortitude isn’t never needing to stop. Sometimes, it’s knowing when to rest so that you have the strength to keep going. 💛

20/08/2026

🌼 Thankful Thursday: More Than Just a Result 🌼

Today is Results Day, a day filled with excitement and celebration for some, and perhaps disappointment or uncertainty for others.

Whatever is written on that piece of paper, it can be easy to forget just how much happened along the way — the early mornings, difficult days, small victories, lessons learned, and people who helped us through.

Today, I’m grateful for those little things.

I snapped this photo the other week while sitting with a warm cuppa, admiring a bunch of flowers I’d put together. It was nothing extraordinary, but it made me happy. ☕🌸

After a week off, I’m now in the middle of a tiring six-day working week, and those small comforts have made such a difference.

Results matter, but they are only one moment in a much bigger journey. Wherever you find yourself today, take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come and perhaps notice something small and beautiful along the way. 💛

19/08/2026

👀 Wisdom Wednesday: Sometimes You Need to Borrow Someone Else’s Eyes 👀

“It is not things themselves that disturb people, but their judgements about these things. — Epictetus

We spend so much time inside our own heads that it can be difficult to see our lives clearly.

We notice what we haven’t achieved, the plans that didn’t quite happen, the mistakes we’ve made, and all the ways we think we should be doing better. Sometimes, we become unreliable narrators of our own lives.

But the people who love us often see a completely different story.

A conversation with a friend or a few kind words from someone who knows us well can remind us how far we’ve come, what we’ve overcome, and all the good things we’ve stopped noticing because we’re simply too close to them.

There’s wisdom in being willing to borrow someone else’s perspective every now and then. So, this Wisdom Wednesday, if you’re being particularly hard on yourself, ask someone you trust what they see.

Their version of your story might be kinder, clearer, and a little closer to the truth. 💗

Read the full post over at Wise Words: 👇

https://thesavvystoic.substack.com/p/sometimes-you-need-to-borrow-someone

18/08/2026

⚖️ Temperance Tuesday: Balance Doesn’t Mean Perfection ⚖️

Last week, I was off work, and I definitely drank more than I usually would.

There was wine and tapas, frozen margaritas with friends, a glass of wine over lunch, and more than a few glasses of vermouth along the way. Since coming back from Barcelona, I’ve become slightly obsessed with vermouth, and this £8 bottle from Tesco has been a surprisingly delicious discovery. 😂🍷

I could look back at the week and feel guilty about drinking more than usual. But I had a week off. I spent time with people I love, went to lovely places, ate good food, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Temperance, after all, isn’t about never indulging.

For the Stoics, temperance was about self-control and knowing when enough is enough. There’s a difference between enjoying something and allowing it to control you.

So, after a week of indulgence, I’m quite happy to swing back the other way. This week will be quieter. No midweek drinks, plenty of water, early nights, and a return to my usual routine. I might enjoy a drink at the weekend, or I might not.

There doesn’t need to be guilt about last week or punishment this week. Just a recognition that there was a time to indulge, and now it feels good to return to balance.

Temperance isn’t about denying ourselves pleasure. It’s about being able to enjoy it and then put it back down. ⚖️

17/08/2026

☕ Mindful Monday: Making Space for the Moments That Matter ☕

Last week, I was lucky enough to have a week off work. I’d planned to have at least one full day of doing absolutely nothing, but that never quite happened. 😂

If you’re anything like me, you might struggle to sit back and do very little when you have time off. There’s always something I want to get done, somewhere I want to go, or another little job waiting for me.

But amongst all of that, I did make time to slow down and enjoy myself.

One afternoon, my partner and I had a wander around The Old Curio in Durham, where I found a beautiful vintage jug, some old postcards, and a few vintage bottle stoppers. Afterwards, we sat down for a pot of tea and scones. 🫖

It was a lovely reminder that rest doesn’t always have to mean doing nothing.

Sometimes, slowing down is simply choosing to step away from the things you *have* to do and making space for the things you *want* to do. To wander without rushing, explore somewhere new, enjoy good company, and sit with a pot of tea for a while.

And I think I’ll need that reminder this week. It’s my first full week back at work, and it’s going to be a particularly busy one. Results Day, a full Friday, and working Saturday means there probably won’t be much slowing down.

I can’t control how busy the week becomes, but I can remember to look for the quieter moments within it. A morning cuppa, a few minutes outside, an evening at home, or simply taking a moment to stop before rushing onto the next thing.

Perhaps mindfulness matters most when life doesn’t give us much time to be still. 💗

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Newcastle Upon Tyne

Website

http://www.thesavvystoic.com/, https://thesavvystoic.substack.com/

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