Ever pondered about the mystery behind being unshakeable, imperturbable?
Trust me, I have. It’s a question that has always intrigued me.
In my quest for answers, I’ve turned pages and sought wisdom from the ancient Stoics. And guess what?
I’ve discovered some habits that are now central to my life.
Of course, they aren’t ‘secrets,’ but they have indeed been pillars of strength in my life. They’ve revolutionized my perspective towards life, making me more poised and unshakeable than ever before.
Maybe they can do the same for you.
Ready to explore?
Let’s.
1) Practicing indifference towards things beyond your control
The first Stoic habit that has fundamentally transformed my life is practicing indifference towards things beyond my control.
It’s not something that comes naturally, especially in a world where we’re often encouraged to take charge and change what we don’t like. But the Stoic wisdom, as shared by thinkers like Epictetus or Marcus Aurelius, emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between what we can and cannot control.
This doesn’t imply passive acceptance or resignation, but rather a clear-eyed understanding that not every aspect of life is within our power to change. It means focusing our energy on areas where we can make a real difference, instead of being frustrated over uncontrollable circumstances.
By adopting this practice, I’ve found a profound sense of peace and resilience. I’ve learned to weather life’s storms without being uprooted by them.
It might seem daunting at first, but the results are genuinely liberating.
It’s not just about what you do; it’s about how you react to what life throws at you.
2) Embracing the idea of amor fati
The second Stoic habit that has helped me become unshakeable is the adoption of amor fati – a Latin phrase that translates to “love of fate.”
The idea is to not just accept but to actually love whatever happens, to see every event, good or bad, as necessary and beneficial to the grand tapestry of life.
At first glance, this might seem like a tall order. How do you love misfortune or setbacks?
I know it sounds counterintuitive. But as I delved into the depths of this principle and started practicing it, I discovered its transformative power.
This doesn’t mean I eagerly look forward to adversity. Rather, I’ve learned to view it as a tool for growth, an essential part of my journey.
Embracing amor fati has allowed me to remain unswayed by life’s ups and downs. Instead of resisting what is happening, I’ve learned to go with the flow, accepting and loving life’s twists and turns.
3) Practicing daily reflection
Stoics like Marcus Aurelius were known for their practice of journaling and introspection. They believed in the importance of analyzing one’s thoughts and actions, learning from mistakes, and celebrating small victories.
And it turns out they had it right. According to research conducted by Harvard Business School, individuals who spent 15 minutes at the end of their day reflecting on their performance improved their productivity by more than 20%. Yep, 20%.
Incorporating this practice into my life hasn’t been easy; it requires discipline and honesty. But the rewards have been immeasurable.
Each day, I set aside time to reflect on my actions, thoughts, and feelings. It’s a period of self-examination where I dissect my responses to situations and explore areas for improvement.
This habit has provided me with a clearer understanding of myself and my reactions to various circumstances. It’s made me more self-aware and taught me how to respond rather than react to events.
4) Cultivating an attitude of gratitude
Gratitude. It’s a word that’s thrown around quite a lot. But how many of us truly practice it?
The Stoics certainly did. They believed that by acknowledging and appreciating what we have, we can find contentment and peace.
As Marcus Aurelius wrote to himself in his journal, which we now know as Meditations:
“ponder on the most fortunate of what you have got, and on account of them remind yourself how they would have been missed, if they had not been here.” (The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, 1944)
This idea intrigued me, so I decided to incorporate it into my daily routine. Each morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, I take a moment to reflect on what I’m grateful for.
This isn’t just a list of big things; it includes the seemingly insignificant ones, too – the smell of fresh coffee, the warmth of the sun, or even a good night’s sleep.
By focusing on these small blessings, I’ve learned to appreciate the abundance in my life and not take things for granted.
This simple practice has significantly shifted my perspective, making me more appreciative and less resentful. It’s helped me cultivate an attitude of abundance rather than scarcity.
And guess what? It’s made me more resilient and unshakeable. Instead of dwelling on what’s missing or what could go wrong, I find joy in what is.
5) Embracing the practice of negative visualization
Picture this: Imagine losing something you hold dear. How would you feel? Now, imagine getting it back. Wouldn’t that feel amazing?
This is the essence of negative visualization, a Stoic practice that encourages us to visualize the loss of things we value. It’s not about being pessimistic but about appreciating what we have.
When I first read about this concept, it seemed counterintuitive. Why would I want to imagine losing something precious to me? But as I started practicing it, I realized its profound impact.
Negative visualization has taught me to cherish my blessings and not take them for granted. It has made me more resilient in the face of adversity, as I have already envisioned and accepted the possibility of loss.
This practice has indeed made me more unshakeable. By regularly visualizing and accepting the worst-case scenario, I’ve learned to withstand any storm that life may throw my way.
It may sound a bit morbid initially, but the results are surprisingly liberating. It’s a simple habit with profound effects on how we perceive and appreciate our lives.
6) Learning to stay present
Last but certainly not least, the Stoics were masters at living in the present moment.
They believed that by focusing on the here and now, we can liberate ourselves from the worries of the past and anxiety about the future.
Inspired by this wisdom, I started practicing mindfulness, making a conscious effort to stay present and engaged in whatever I was doing.
This wasn’t easy, especially in our fast-paced world where multitasking is seen as a virtue. But as I continued practicing, I noticed a significant shift.
Staying present helped me enjoy life’s simple pleasures, reduced stress, and improved my focus and productivity. It made me realize that all we truly have is the present moment.
The bottom line
As always, I hope you found this article valuable.
The journey towards becoming unshakeable isn’t necessarily easy, but with these Stoic habits, it’s definitely achievable.
Cultivate these practices, and you, too, might just find yourself more resilient and composed, no matter what life throws your way.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like the regular insights we send out to our Stoic community. You can join for free by popping your mail below.
Until next time, stay Stoic.
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.
