In the fast-paced, instant-gratification society we live in today, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep up. The stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction that come with this lifestyle often leave us searching for a more meaningful, balanced way of life.
Enter Stoicism – an ancient philosophy that offers timeless wisdom for navigating life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
Living like a Stoic does not mean suppressing your emotions or living a life devoid of joy. On the contrary, it means embracing the full spectrum of human emotions while learning to respond to them with wisdom, courage, and tranquility.
Today, we explore 9 practical ways to incorporate Stoic principles into your daily life and thrive in the modern world. Whether you’re new to Stoicism or have been practicing it for years, these tips will help you lead a more mindful and fulfilling life.
Let’s dive in.
1. Understand what you can control
Ever found yourself losing sleep over a delayed flight, a traffic jam, or what your boss might think of your latest report?
Here’s a Stoic reality check for you: there are things in life you can control, and there are things you can’t. The weather, other people’s opinions, the passing of time – these are all beyond your control. What you can control are your own actions, reactions, and attitudes.
The Stoics believed that understanding this distinction is the key to maintaining inner peace. As Epictetus put it:
“Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.”
Next time you find yourself stressing over something outside of your control, take a deep breath and ask yourself: “Is this something I can change?”
If the answer is no, let it go. Focus on what you can do and let the rest unfold as it will. It’s a simple shift in perspective that can make a world of difference.
2. Embrace adversity
The great Stoic philosopher Seneca once said, “Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.”
Epictetus said, “Circumstances don’t make the man; they only reveal him to himself.”
Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.”
The point?
The Stoics viewed adversity not as a misfortune but as an opportunity for growth. They believed that challenges and setbacks are part of life’s curriculum – they teach us resilience, patience, and humility.
Are you ready to turn your obstacles into opportunities for growth?
3. Practice mindfulness
How often do you find your mind wandering to past regrets or future anxieties, even when you’re in the midst of an enjoyable moment?
If you are like me, too often. This is where the Stoic practice of mindfulness comes into play.
The Stoics were big on living in the present – focusing on the here and now instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. They believed that by doing so, we could fully appreciate life and reduce unnecessary stress.
As put by Marcus Aurelius “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.”
Epictetus noted, “Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems”.
By practicing mindfulness, we can learn to focus our attention on what’s happening right now, appreciating each moment as it comes and goes. It’s not always easy – our minds are experts at wandering – but with consistent practice, it becomes more natural.
4. Cultivate gratitude
Picture this: You’ve had a long, exhausting day at work. Everything that could go wrong did. As you slump on the couch, you can’t help but think about how terrible your day was.
But then, you pause for a moment and shift your perspective. You think about the fact that you have a job, a home to come back to, and a comfy couch to rest on. Suddenly, your day doesn’t seem as bad, right?
This is what cultivating gratitude looks like. The Stoics believed in the power of appreciating what we have rather than dwelling on what we don’t have or what went wrong. As put by former Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius:
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love …”
As it turns out, this practice, like many in Stoicism, is backed up by modern research. According to experts, it can relieve stress, improve sleep and reduce anxiety.
Incorporating this into your daily routine can be as simple as taking a few moments each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for. It’s been nothing short of a gamechanger in my own life. You, too, might be surprised at how this small practice can significantly shift your perspective and improve your mood.
5. Practice moderation
The Stoics believed in avoiding excess and living in accordance with nature. They advocated for a balanced lifestyle, where you neither deprive yourself too harshly nor indulge too excessively.
Whether it’s about food, exercise, work, or leisure activities, the Stoics emphasized the importance of striking a balance.
For instance, instead of working yourself to exhaustion, aim for a balance between productivity and rest. Instead of overindulging in comfort food or strictly following a restrictive diet, try to maintain a balanced diet that makes you feel good without deprivation.
Living a life of moderation according to Stoic principles doesn’t mean denying yourself of all pleasures, rather it’s about finding the right balance that contributes to your overall well-being.
6. Embrace change
Change is a fundamental part of life. Seasons change, relationships evolve, and we grow older with each passing day. Despite this, many of us resist change because it brings about uncertainty and takes us out of our comfort zones.
The Stoics, however, embraced change. They viewed it as a natural and inevitable part of life.
Marcus Aurelius, one of the most famous Stoic philosophers, wrote in his Meditations, “Time is like a river made up of the events which happen, and a violent stream; for as soon as a thing has been seen, it is carried away, and another comes in its place, and this will be carried away too.”
Seneca tells us, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
Embracing change means accepting that nothing stays the same forever and learning to adapt accordingly. Instead of resisting that new job offer or avoiding the end of a relationship, the Stoics would encourage us to embrace these changes and see them as opportunities for growth and new experiences.
7. Be patient
The Bottom Line
Living like a Stoic in the modern world isn’t about suppressing emotions or leading a joyless life. It’s about embracing life with all its ups and downs, learning and growing through challenges, and striving for wisdom and balance.
Whether you choose to focus on one of these seven principles or decide to incorporate all of them into your life, remember that Stoicism is a practical philosophy meant to be lived out daily. The journey might not always be easy, but it’s definitely worth it.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you tried applying any of these Stoic principles in your life? How did it go? Share your experiences or thoughts on Stoicism in the comments below. Remember, we’re all here to learn and grow together.
What would Marcus Aurelius say?
Unsure what to do next in your career? Struggling to move on from a failed relationship? Searching for more meaning in life?
Marcus Aurelius can tell you how to face your challenges in a more Stoic way.
Simply ask your question, and Marcus Aurelius will answer.
