The Price of Convenience

We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through a subscription box service, thinking, “This will simplify my life.” Or relying on apps to manage your time, health, and even your relationships. It feels good to hand over control—until it doesn’t. Slowly, you realize you’re paying for convenience with something far more valuable: your autonomy.

The world is designed to make things easy for us. Fast food when we’re too tired to cook. Social media algorithms that decide what we see. Loans for things we don’t need. At first, these conveniences seem harmless, even helpful. But over time, they can create a quiet dependency that erodes your ability to handle challenges yourself.

The Quiet Erosion of Self-Mastery

The Stoics understood this danger. Marcus Aurelius wrote, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” In other words, obstacles are not to be avoided—they are essential to growth. Yet in modern life, we’ve built entire systems designed to help us avoid impediments. And while these systems may seem like solutions, they often create more problems by encouraging us to outsource our understanding.

It starts small. You’re encouraged to go with the flow, to outsource and consume. “Let us handle the hard stuff,” they say. “You just enjoy the ride.” It feels good to lean on conveniences. But over time, this reliance creates habits—and those habits can lead to unhealthy dependencies.

Stress, anxiety, financial strain, or even poor health are the predictable side effects of letting others do the thinking for you. And when those problems arise, we often turn back to the same systems for solutions. We buy stress-reducing apps, pay for convenience foods, or take out loans to fund lifestyles we don’t even enjoy. It’s a vicious cycle that keeps us dependent.

The Power of Building Understanding

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay trapped in this loop. The Stoics teach us that freedom is always within reach, as long as we’re willing to take responsibility for ourselves.

The first step is recognizing the moments when you’re outsourcing understanding. The next time you hear, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this for you,” pause and ask yourself: Am I giving up control over something I could learn to handle myself?

Self-mastery isn’t about rejecting all conveniences—it’s about consciously choosing which ones serve you. It’s about building the skills and knowledge that give you the freedom to opt out of systems that don’t. Marcus Aurelius reminded himself daily, “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”

Start Small, Build Freedom

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. The path to reclaiming control starts with small, deliberate actions. Cancel a subscription you no longer need. Learn a skill you’ve always left to someone else. Take a moment to understand the systems you rely on daily and ask yourself: Do these serve my long-term goals?

Consider the example of Cato, the great Stoic. He intentionally wore simple clothes and ate modest meals, not because he hated comfort, but because he wanted to practice independence. By mastering himself, he ensured that no external force could master him. You can do the same.

Every time you take back a piece of control, you strengthen your foundation. The dividends aren’t just financial; they’re mental clarity, resilience, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re capable of handling life’s challenges on your own terms.

A Life of True Freedom

It may feel daunting at first, but each step you take is a step toward a life of greater freedom. A life where you choose what to rely on. A life where convenience doesn’t come at the cost of your autonomy. As Seneca said, “It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”

Start reclaiming your time, your habits, and your choices today. The best time to build understanding was yesterday. The second-best time is now.