The Stoic philosophy of the ancient Greeks considerably affected human ideas about life and its challenges. What can stoic principles do for your life? Stoicism encourages you to let go of things that are out of your control; it is anything but a carefree way of living. It instead encourages you to focus on the things that you can control, or the other side, and to approach them logically and actively.
For example, if you know that you grew up with limited parents who were unable to be there for you emotionally, you may logically realize that you’ll need additional layers of support when the time comes for you to be a parent yourself. Perhaps this means you read more or seek out professional guidance to support you as you create attachments with your child, or maybe it means believing in your own intuition when it comes to parenting. By accepting that you cannot change your own childhood, you are also defining what you can and would like to change—which is your relationship with your own child and ability to form a healthy and secure attachment with them.
Todd Gitlin
According to Gitlin, the concept behind this strategy is that you are prone to feeling fulfilled and less stressed overall when you identify the things you can change and approach them strategically.
These nine essential stoic principles can greatly influence and enhance our lives, while there are many other stoic concepts that have the potential to be transforming as well.
Understand What You Can Control
The Stoics emphasized the necessity of distinguishing between what we can and cannot control. If you want to know what is under our control, you must be able to distinguish between external and internal factors.
Attitudes, decisions, actions, values, and beliefs are examples of internal influences. We have a lot of power over these factors. External impacts, on the other hand, are frequently uncontrollable and include things like situations, events, and the conduct of other people.
The Stoic method encourages using logic to identify what is under your control. This requires determining if you have the ability to directly affect or change a specific aspect of a situation.
If there is nothing you can do about it, it is considered out of your hands. By applying this rational evaluation on a regular basis, you can improve your ability to determine which elements you can genuinely control and which you should accept peacefully.
The dichotomy of control
This theory, which is closely related to the one preceding it, encourages people to focus on their internal world—their attitudes, values, and beliefs—rather than their exterior environment. The trick is to understand that, while you have no control over your surroundings, you do have control over how you react to them.
This theory emphasizes the importance of focusing your attention and efforts on things you can control, such as your ideas, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. This will allow you to efficiently regulate your inner environment and produce constructive changes, which will lead to inner contentment as well as tranquility.
Amor fati (love of fate)
The Latin phrase “Amor Fati” means “love of fate.”. It inspires people to embrace life with love and zeal, not only to accept their fate and all of its pleasant and painful parts.
Stoics teach that every occurrence is an opportunity for personal progress and an essential component of the journey of life, not something to reject or be angry about.
The message of “Amor Fati” is to totally embrace the present moment, no matter what. It encourages people to look for the good and the meaningful in every event, including the ones that at first seem like failures or difficult times.
Stoics hold that you can develop a deep sense of satisfaction and perseverance by embracing and enjoying your fate, regardless of the circumstances that are beyond your control.
Memento mori (remember death)
The English translation of “Memento Mori” is “Remember that you will die.” It acts as a prompt for the transience of existence and the certainty of death.
Those who practice stoicism are encouraged to live with urgency and purpose, to recognize the fleeting nature of life, and to contemplate death. It forces people to order their priorities according to what matters most to them in life.
People can concentrate on their values, relationships, and personal development while letting go of unimportant worries and diversions that don’t add to a fulfilling life when they recognize how little time they have.
Practicing virtue
In Stoicism, virtue is frequently linked to temperance, justice, courage, and wisdom. People who practice virtue should always work to cultivate these traits within themselves.
This entails seeking knowledge, reflecting on oneself, and making a commitment to your own development. It is about acting and making decisions in every area of life that are consistent with these characteristics.
This principle supports you in making decisions and acting in ways that, in spite of external influences or temptations, are consistent with your core beliefs and ideals. It implies treating people with kindness and justice as well as acting justly, bravely, and moderately.
Virtue is not only an inside attribute but also a collection of deeds and behaviors that advance the welfare of the individual and the community.
Negative visualization
In negative visualization, one consciously considers and imagines unfavorable or terrible possibilities that might occur in their life. Through this process, people prepare themselves psychologically for future losses or misfortunes, which lessens the shock and emotional discomfort that can arise should these things actually come to pass.
People can grow to be more appreciative of what they now have in life. It assists people in avoiding taking their blessings for granted and in realizing the transience of life. It also strengthens resilience since people are better able to handle hardship and react more coolly and logically to new challenges.
The stoic reserve clause
The idea is to mentally get ready for the twists and turns of life. It helps people realize that although they have some degree of control over their behaviors and reactions, they are not completely in control of the outside world. People who adopt this mental stance are more capable of adapting and handling everyday challenges with composure.
It places a strong emphasis on realizing that life is inherently unpredictable and that plans may not always work out. The Stoic Reserve Clause lets you concentrate on doing your best and staying resilient in the face of adverse effects by accepting that your efforts and intentions might not always result in the outcomes you seek.
Eudaimonia (living a flourishing life)
Eudaimonia, or achieving a state of flourishing, fulfillment, and genuine enjoyment, is the ultimate goal of a stoic existence. Living in tune with nature, practicing moral behavior, prioritizing knowledge, bettering oneself over material pleasures, and living a moral life all contribute to this state of inner calm and contentment.
Developing personal qualities, living according to beliefs and values, and persistently striving to become a better, wiser, and more moral person are suggested to be the true routes to fulfillment, as opposed to pursuing money, celebrity, or other possessions. It emphasizes how moral advancement and personal development are necessary for a truly satisfying life.
A life according to nature
Living a life in accordance with nature, according to stoicism, entails living in harmony with reason and in a universe that has rational order. It involves making choices, thinking, and taking actions that are consistent with the principles of wisdom and reason.
This idea pushes people to accept change as inevitable, impermanence as necessary, and random occurrences as part of the natural order of the world. It highlights that real contentment comes from realizing as well as accepting how the universe functions naturally, and that fighting against or being unduly dependent on external events is pointless.
Final thought
These Stoic ideas can have a significant impact on our lives, assisting us in developing resilience, knowledge, and a greater sense of inner calm. Keep in mind that Stoicism is a philosophy that requires practice as well as ongoing reflection in order to effectively adopt and live by its precepts.
Stoicism teaches people to distinguish between what they can control (thoughts, attitudes, and actions) and what they cannot (external events or the behavior of others). Inner calm needs a focus on the former and acceptance of the latter.
Stoics advocate for the development of virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation. The focus of Stoic philosophy is on living in line with these values and cultivating resilience in the face of adversity.
Sana Ahmed Khan is a life coach and author of multiple books from Islamabad, Pakistan. As a certified life coach and author, Sana is keen on helping women from all walks of life. Sana empowers you to overcome self-doubt, find balance, and become your best self through her guidance focused on mindful living, social skills, and personal development.
