Stoicism
Imagine it’s around 300 BCE, and you’re wandering through the sun-soaked streets of Athens. You stumble upon a painted porch, a stoa, and there stands a guy named Zeno. He’s talking about virtue, wisdom, and how to handle the chaos of life without letting it crush your spirit. Congratulations, you’ve just walked into the birthplace of Stoicism.
Zeno of Citium was a merchant who lost everything in a shipwreck and, instead of wallowing in his misfortune, decided to go all-in on philosophy. He gathered a group of followers and began teaching that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can control how we respond. That’s Stoicism in a nutshell: It’s less about being stone-faced and emotionless and more about finding inner peace amidst external chaos.
At its core, Stoicism is a way of life that teaches us to focus on what we can control (our thoughts, actions, and attitudes) and let go of what we can’t (pretty much everything else). The Stoics believe that our minds are our most powerful tool, and by training them, we can rise above life’s inevitable ups and downs without losing our cool. Think of it as emotional alchemy – turning chaos into calm.
There are four main virtues in Stoicism:
Wisdom: Understanding what is truly important and what is just noise.
Courage: Facing life’s challenges without fear.
Justice: Treating others fairly and doing the right thing.
Temperance: Practicing self-control and avoiding excess.
So how do you practice Stoicism? You might’ve heard the phrase “memento mori,” which means “remember you will die.” Stoics used this as a reminder to focus on what truly matters and to stop sweating the small stuff. Another Stoic tool is the “view from above,” where you zoom out mentally and see yourself and your problems as just a tiny part of the vast universe. Kinda makes that annoying coworker seem a lot less important, right?
And don’t get it twisted – Stoicism isn’t about pretending everything is fine or ignoring your emotions. It’s about feeling them without letting them control you. Marcus Aurelius, one of the most famous Stoics and, yeah, a literal Roman emperor, wrote in his journal (which we now know as Meditations), “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
So, the next time life throws you a curveball, channel your inner Stoic. Pause. Breathe. Ask yourself, “Is this within my control?” If it is, take action. If it’s not, let it go. And remember – even if you can’t control the waves, you can learn to surf.
Stay steady, my friend. Stoicism’s got your back.
