Tolstoy's 'Rules of Life', Perfectionism and Constant Self-Improvement

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The more I’ve read about Tolstoy’s perfectionist tendencies, the more I’ve found to relate to, especially when thinking about my younger self. But some other parts of Tolstoy’s life and character? Not so much.

In 1847, at the age of eighteen, Tolstoy began a journal he called his “Journal of Daily Activities”, as mentioned in Rosamund Bartlett’s biography of Tolstoy. In this journal, Tolstoy would set out exactly how many hours to dedicate to study, leisure and meals, leaving space to comment later on his performance.

Some days he kept to his regime, but on others, he did “nothing”, “almost nothing”, did things “badly”, “read Gogol” or “overslept”.

To help him to develop his willpower, Tolstoy started compiling rules that would help him develop his willpower, compiled in a list of “Rules of Life”.

I’ve shared this wonderful list below, including some guidelines that any perfectionist self-improvement junkie can probably relate to, and others that are just plain amusing.

Tolstoy’s ‘Rules of Life’ included:

Wake at five o’clock
Go to bed no later than ten o’clock
Two hours permissible for sleeping during the day
Eat moderately
Avoid sweet foods
Walk for an hour every day
Carry out everything he prescribed for himself
Visit a brothel only twice a month
Love those to whom he could be of service
Disregard all public opinion not based on reason
Love those to whom he could be of service
Only do one thing at a time
Disallow flights of imagination unless necessary

The list gradually expanded, and the following rules were added:

Never to show emotion
Stop caring about other people’s opinion of himself
Do good things inconspicuously
Keep away from women
Suppress lust by working hard
Help those less fortunate

Tolstoy was certainly quite self-absorbed at this point of his life, and it’s absolutely questionable whether he succeeded in following his rules. Some of those listed I don’t agree with, such as keeping away from women and hindering his (very talented) imagination. Others are amusing to say the least, such as his attempt to keep away from brothels.

I’ll note here that Tolstoy was first introduced to brothels at the age of fourteen by his brothers, and went on to have thirteen children with his wife. No matter how hard he tried, he just didn’t seem destined for successful celibacy.

Regardless, as a perfectionist I can certainly relate to the process of setting rules for himself. Do you have your own rules for life? If so, do you manage to carry them out over the long-term?

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