it is because you take yourself along with you, and you cannot escape from yourself.”
I remember the moment when I realized my external environment would always be a reflection of my internal state of mind. It took me a few times to understand that my problems were due to my home and family life, and it wasn’t until I visited different places that I started to experience joy. I wasn’t trying to escape from myself, I was just trying to find some peace and quiet away from the toxic people I was surrounded by.
This thought was echoed by Seneca in “Letters from a Stoic”. Socrates said to someone in a similar situation, “How can you wonder your travels do you no good, when you carry yourself around with you? You are saddled with the very thing that drove you away.” Seneca goes on to explain that all the running around and visiting new places is futile if you’re just taking yourself along with you. You can’t escape from yourself.
The lesson I took away from this is that no matter where I go, I can’t run away from myself. I’m in control of my own inner state of mind and no matter where I am, I will always be a reflection of that. In order to be truly happy, I need to focus on improving my internal state of mind and not just seeking solace in external environments.