5 stoic habits of people who thrive under pressure

Some people seem to handle life’s toughest situations with grace and resilience, and you might wonder, “What’s their secret?”

Well, the answer, in many cases, can be traced back to Stoic habits—practices rooted in ancient philosophy that focus on controlling what you can and letting go of what you can’t.

The Stoics believed that by developing inner strength, we can face any external chaos without losing our sense of peace. As Marcus Aurelius once wrote:

“Be like the headland on which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and about it the boiling water sinks to sleep.”

Learning to embody this mindset can make all the difference when life throws its storms at you.

In this article, we’ll explore five Stoic habits that will help you not just survive under pressure, but truly thrive.

Whether it’s at work, in relationships, or navigating life’s uncertainties, these principles are timeless tools that build resilience from the inside out.

1) Focusing on what’s in their control

Let’s kick things off with a big one!

How often do we worry about things we have absolutely no influence over? The weather, other people’s opinions, the economy, or even the traffic on the way to work…

We spend so much energy stressing about external factors that are completely out of our hands. Epictetus nailed it when he said, “Of all existing things, some are in our power, and others are not in our power.”

The Stoics understood that the secret to thriving under pressure is recognizing this divide—focusing your energy on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t.

You can’t change the traffic, but you can control how you respond to it. You can’t force someone to like you, but you can control your own actions and attitude toward them.

By redirecting your focus inward, you gain power over your emotions and decisions. This shift allows you to conserve energy, reduce stress, and move through life with more calm and clarity.

Next time you’re faced with an overwhelming situation, pause and ask yourself: “Is this within my control?” If the answer is no, let it go.

2) Practicing voluntary discomfort

Now, let’s dive into something that might sound counterintuitive at first—seeking out discomfort.

In today’s world, we often chase comfort at all costs, whether it’s through convenience, luxury, or avoiding anything remotely challenging. But the Stoics taught that deliberately facing discomfort strengthens our resilience.

By practicing voluntary discomfort—like taking cold showers, fasting, or choosing to walk instead of drive—we build mental and physical toughness.

These small challenges teach us that discomfort isn’t something to fear but something to embrace.

And when life throws unexpected hardships our way, we’re far better equipped to handle them because we’ve already trained ourselves to endure.

3) Embracing the present moment

This one hits close to home.

I used to constantly worry about what might happen next—whether a project at work would go wrong or if I was making the right choices for my future.

I’d spend hours replaying past mistakes or fretting over things I couldn’t predict. It was exhausting.

But then I came across a Stoic principle that changed everything: the power of living in the present.

Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Each of us lives only in the present, this brief moment; the rest is either a life that is past or an uncertain future.”

This resonated with me. The present moment is all we truly have, and wasting it on what’s behind or ahead only robs us of peace.

By focusing on the now, I started to experience life more fully—whether it was being more engaged in conversations, finding joy in small daily routines, or simply noticing the world around me.

Not only did this shift bring more clarity to my decisions, but it also reduced my anxiety about the future.

It might just do the same for you.

4) Remembering that everything is temporary

One of the most freeing Stoic insights is the reminder that nothing lasts forever—neither the good times nor the bad.

When I first embraced this idea, it completely transformed how I viewed challenges and setbacks.

Often, when we’re in the thick of a tough situation, it feels permanent, like we’ll never get through it. But the Stoics remind us that all things pass.

Whether it’s a difficult period at work, a personal struggle, or even moments of joy, they’re all temporary. This isn’t meant to be disheartening—it’s actually empowering.

Knowing that tough times will end helps us endure, while remembering that good times are fleeting teaches us to appreciate them more fully.

By keeping this in mind, we can face challenges with a calm heart, knowing that time will carry us through. Every experience, whether painful or pleasant, is just a moment in the grand flow of life.

5) Practicing gratitude

“Do not think of what are absent as though they were not existing, but 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.” – Marcus Aurelius

Last but not least, Stoics cultivate gratitude—even in challenging times.

It’s easy to feel grateful when life is going smoothly, but the Stoics believed in practicing gratitude no matter the circumstances.

This shift in mindset has been a game-changer for me.

Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, I actively seek out what’s going right—even if it’s something small, like a warm cup of coffee or a moment of peace during a stressful day.

Gratitude doesn’t erase problems, but it does shift our focus to what we can appreciate, even in hard times.

By embracing this practice, you can maintain a sense of contentment and perspective, no matter what life throws your way.