Are you looking for a way to live a good life in a chaotic and unpredictable world? Do you want to break free from the cycle of desire and fear that keeps you unhappy and stressed out? If so, you might want to give stoicism a try.
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that teaches us how to live according to our rational nature, not our emotions or impulses. It helps us focus on what we can control, and accept what we can’t control. It helps us act with virtue, wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline. It helps us view everything as an opportunity to learn and grow, not as a problem or a threat.
In this article, I’ll share with you how stoicism saved my ass from being a hot mess. I’ll tell you how I went from being unhappy, insecure, anxious, depressed, addicted, and hopeless to being happy, confident, calm, fulfilled, sober, and hopeful. I’ll also show you how you can apply stoicism to your own life and achieve the same results.
But first, let me explain what stoicism is and how it works.
What is Stoicism and How Does It Work?
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
Marcus Aurelius
Stoicism is a philosophy that was founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BC. It was later developed by other famous thinkers like Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism is based on a few simple but powerful principles:
- The only thing that matters is how we act and think, not what happens to us or what others do.
- We should focus on what we can control, and accept what we can’t control.
- We should live according to our rational nature, not our emotions or impulses.
- We should act with virtue, wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline.
- We should view everything as an opportunity to learn and grow, not as a problem or a threat.
These principles help us deal with whatever life throws at us. They help us overcome our negative emotions like anger, fear, sadness, envy, etc. They help us cultivate positive emotions like joy, gratitude, love, etc. They help us make better decisions and actions that align with our values and goals. They help us become better human beings.
Stoicism is not some boring or rigid doctrine that tells us what to do or what to believe. It’s more like a practical and flexible toolkit that helps us adapt to any situation. It’s not about suppressing or denying our emotions. It’s about understanding and managing them. It’s not about being passive or indifferent. It’s about being active and engaged. It’s not about being perfect or flawless. It’s about being honest and humble.
Stoicism is a way of life that can help anyone live a good life in a bad world.
How Stoicism Saved My Ass
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality
Seneca
Now that you have a basic idea of what stoicism is and how it works, let me tell you how it saved my ass.
I used to be a hot mess. I was unhappy, insecure, anxious, depressed, addicted, and hopeless. I hated myself and my life. I had no purpose or direction. I was constantly chasing after things that didn’t fulfill me. I was always complaining and blaming others for my problems. I was living in a state of fear and pain.
Then I discovered stoicism.
I started reading books by the ancient stoics like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus, and others. I learned about their teachings and how they applied them to their own lives. I was amazed by how relevant and practical their wisdom was for our modern times.
I decided to give stoicism a try. I started practicing some of the exercises and techniques that the stoics recommended. Things like:
- Writing in a journal every morning and evening
- Meditating on my mortality and the impermanence of everything
- Practicing gratitude for what I have
- Challenging my negative thoughts and beliefs
- Visualizing the worst-case scenarios and how I would cope with them
- Doing voluntary hardships like fasting or cold showers
- Seeking feedback and criticism from others
- Doing something that scares me every day
- Helping someone in need
At first, it was hard. It felt unnatural and uncomfortable. It went against everything I was used to. But I kept at it. I persisted. I made it a habit.
And slowly but surely, things started to change.
I started to feel happier and more confident. I started to care less about what others thought of me or what happened around me. I started to focus more on what I could do or improve rather than what I couldn’t or didn’t have. I started to act more rationally and virtuously rather than emotionally or impulsively. I started to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles. I started to live more in the present rather than in the past or the future.
I started to love myself and my life.
How You Can Apply Stoicism to Your Life
If you’re tired of living in a state of dissatisfaction and anxiety, if you’re looking for a way to live a good life in a bad world, if you’re ready to take charge of your own happiness and success, then give stoicism a try.
You don’t have to read all the books or follow all the rules. You can start with some simple steps that can make a big difference. Here are some suggestions:
- Write in a journal every morning and evening. Write about what you’re grateful for, what you learned, what you did well, what you can improve, etc.
- Meditate on your mortality and the impermanence of everything. Remind yourself that you’re not immortal, that everything is temporary, that nothing is guaranteed. This will help you appreciate what you have and not take anything for granted.
- Practice gratitude for what you have. Instead of focusing on what you lack or want, focus on what you already have or enjoy. This will help you feel more content and happy.
- Challenge your negative thoughts and beliefs. Whenever you catch yourself thinking or saying something negative, ask yourself: Is this true? Is this helpful? Is this rational? If not, replace it with something positive, helpful, and rational. This will help you change your mindset and attitude.
- Visualize the worst-case scenarios and how you would cope with them. Imagine the most terrible things that could happen to you or your loved ones, and how you would deal with them. This will help you prepare for the worst and reduce your fear and anxiety.
- Do voluntary hardships like fasting or cold showers. Choose to do something that is uncomfortable or difficult for you, but not harmful or dangerous. This will help you build your resilience and self-discipline, and make you appreciate your comfort and ease more.
- Seek feedback and criticism from others. Ask someone you trust and respect for their honest opinion on your work, behavior, or performance. Listen to their feedback without getting defensive or angry. This will help you learn from your mistakes and improve yourself.
- Do something that scares you every day. Step out of your comfort zone and do something that challenges you or makes you nervous. This will help you overcome your fears and grow your confidence.
- Help someone in need. Find someone who is less fortunate or struggling than you, and offer them your help or support. This will help you practice your generosity and compassion, and make you feel good about yourself.
These are just some examples of how you can apply stoicism to your life. You can find more exercises and techniques online or in books. The important thing is to practice them regularly and consistently.
Don’t expect instant results or miracles. Stoicism is not a magic pill that will solve all your problems or make you happy overnight. It’s a lifelong journey that requires patience and perseverance.
But trust me, it’s worth it.
Stoicism can help you live a good life in a bad world.
Conclusion
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that teaches us how to live according to our rational nature, not our emotions or impulses. It helps us focus on what we can control, and accept what we can’t control. It helps us act with virtue, wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline. It helps us view everything as an opportunity to learn and grow, not as a problem or a threat.
Stoicism saved my ass from being a hot mess. It helped me go from being unhappy, insecure, anxious, depressed, addicted, and hopeless to being happy, confident, calm, fulfilled, sober, and hopeful.
If you want to learn more about stoicism and how to apply it to your life, I recommend reading these books:
- The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
- The Enchiridion by Epictetus
- The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
- How to Be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci
You can also check out these websites:
I hope this article was helpful and inspiring for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.