Stoicism is as relevant today as it was in 300 BC

I stumbled upon stoicism following a period of exploring minimalism in my quest for inner happiness. In my younger years, I read various philosophical concepts, finding value in each unique perspective. I found fascination in Albert Camus’s absurdism, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s social contract theory, Schopenhauer’s “will to live,” and Jacobi’s more sinister nihilism. I also drew inspiration from Eastern philosophies such as Daoism, Wu Wei, Buddhism, and Confucianism. All and more philosophies offers great insights on how to live and how not live your life. Of course different philosophies resonate more deeply with different individuals. However, the one that has become an integral part of my daily life is stoicism. I think it’s just incredible to think that this philosophy originated around 300 BC, yet its teachings remain so accurate today. While much has changed over the centuries, the human experience and condition is the same, making stoicism’s timeless wisdom all the more remarkable. Let me tell you a bit more about this simple yet very wise concept.

Achieve self-control

Every day, we face challenges, often accompanied by a flood of emotions! While our initial reactions may be instinctive, I believe it’s wiser to pause and contemplate the situation before reacting impulsively. Emotions are essentials to understanding our lives, but surrendering to them without allowing room for rational thought is, is what I would call foolishness. Now let me be clear on this, I am still a fool more often than I’d like to be. Stoicism is a practice that requires constant mindfulness, especially in crucial moments. Yes, there are times when my emotions get the best of me. Fortunately, I’ve learned to quickly recognise and correct my behaviour. To be able to control one’s emotions gives the freedom to navigate life more effectively and, ironically, to experience emotions more deeply.

Let go of what you can not influence

In life, there are certain circumstances that you just can’t control. Wasting your energy and time into these matters has no value and causes unnecessary frustration. Instead, you could focus on the things that you can influence. The things you cannot influence are for example others’ actions, the weather, the past, and external events. On the other hand, factors such as our attitudes, reactions, thoughts and perspectives remain inside our scope of control. There is a greater likelihood of you being happier, less anxious, able to make better decisions and accomplish more of your goals if you let go of those things you can not control. That doesn’t mean that you should be passive. It means responding with proactive and calm determination. For instance, if plans for a walk are affected by rain, you can choose to adapt by taking an umbrella or find alternative indoor activities instead of sitting at home moaning at the rain. Remember that although everything can go wrong, no one can determine how you react to things. The decision ultimately lies in how you choose to perceive and respond to the events. So, do you allow frustration to dominate your outlook, or do you adopt a more positive and stoic perspective? In essence, if you focus on the things you can directly influence and ignore the rest, you’ll be happier and use your limited time on this earth wisely.

Change your perception

Perhaps the most important lesson of stoicism is that there is no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Everything in life is just a perception. Each person’s perspective is unique because it’s shaped by their life, ideas, and attitude. Someone with a different view of life, background, ideas, or attitude will therefore have a different interpretation of the same observation. Before I got into Stoicism, I thought of the world and everything that happened as the reality. The realisation that it is me who creates my interpretation of reality was a huge relief to me. It brought hope and freedom because I could empower myself to shape my life as I desired. I could step into the role of the protagonist rather than remaining a victim of circumstances. After picking up on this, I started paying attention to others. It was pretty clear who were shaping their own reality and who were just going with the flow. The ones who could shift their perspective and see what they wanted to see were the happiest. Speaking from my own experience, I can say without a doubt that stoicism has made me a better person. And like Billy Hicks said, “It’s just a ride” – meaning life is what we make it.

Think about the worst scenarios

This practice might seem unconventional to some, as people often react with surprise when I explain how it helps me find happiness and maintain a positive outlook. Stoicism encourages deep contemplation of worst-case scenarios to anticipate setbacks and challenges. By mentally preparing for potential obstacles, you can actually become better equipped to respond with resilience. It’s funny because initial reactions to this concept often label me as a pessimist, but it is quite the opposite: this approach makes whatever comes a positive! This way of looking at things means that no setback is unexpected and makes the challenges that do come more bearable. I often think of the way romantic movies sometimes set unrealistic expectations for relationships, leading people to constantly yearn for an idealised fantasy rather than appreciating the lovely present reality. Similarly to this practise of thinking of evil, insurance policies function on the same principle – you prepare for the mishaps in life which ensures that when difficulties arise, you’re financially and emotionally covered. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a sense of neutrality towards life’s ups and downs, remaining unshaken by adversity.

Live now

“Memento mori” direct translation is “remember to die”. I know this might sound very dark, but it actually means embracing life to the fullest and seizing each day. Holding your mortality close is not meant to be depressing or paralysing. If you dare contemplate death, it will remind you to live a good life. Don’t put living a good life on your to-do list for the future either, do it now. None of us know when our time will come to an end, so it’s imperative to make the most of every moment. “Memento mori” also underscores the fleeting nature of life. The pursuits you often prioritise—success, fame, wealth—ultimately hold little significance. You come into life empty-handed, and you will leave leave it the same way. Your material possession are only there for a short period of time. So, don’t worry about it. In the end, what truly matters are the connections we forge and the brave decisions we make. These moments of genuine human interaction are infinitely more valuable than wealth or recognition. The only thing you should worry about is to be a good person now and to do the right things. This is a universal principle accessible to all, irrespective of age, wealth, or health. It’s a quality that can never be stripped away—a testament of moral character.

My favourite book in stoicism

Marcus Aurelius, a notable figure in history, served as both a Roman emperor and a Stoic philosopher. The question of how to live well was central to his thinking. During his reign, the emperor writes down various life lessons and ideas for himself, intended to express philosophy in his life. Surprisingly, these writings, never intended for widespread dissemination, have become a cherished treasure for many, myself included. I find so much wisdom in his famous book, opening it at random to contemplate one of his meditations for a week or more before moving on to the next. Even after years of owning this book, revisiting the same passages gives me fresh insights every time, depending on what’s happening in my life at the moment. For those seeking intellectual tickles, I highly recommend Aurelius’s meditations book.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exploring stoicism as a philosophy for everyday life brings numerous benefits. Its lessons can give you practical tools for dealing with life’s ups and downs with a cool head and calm spirit. By emphasising the importance of focusing on what is within our control and accepting what is not, stoicism pushes us to feel empowered and emotionally balanced. Furthermore, Stoic principles promote virtues such as courage, wisdom, and self-discipline, which hels you grow and feel happy! In a world where things can get pretty wild, stoicism is a timeless roadmap for finding peace inside, building deep connections, and living a life full of meaning and goodness. Choosing stoicism as your life compass can lead to clearer minds, stronger spirits, and happier days, every day.