A No-BS Guide to the Tenets of Stoicism
“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Marcus Aurelius
We’re here to talk about… Stoicism. ðŸ§
An ancient philosophy that’s making a comeback faster than mullets and fanny packs combined.
The Tenets of Stoicism
Stoicism was cooked up by a guy named Zeno way back in 300 BC. It’s basically about living a good life by being virtuous.
Below I’ll break down the core tenets of Stoicism. They are kind of like the protein shakes of philosophy – strengthening your mind and helping you the difficult challenges life throws your way.
1. Virtue
For Stoics, virtue isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s the whole enchilada. It’s the be-all and end-all. The top dog. The… okay, you get it.
But what exactly is virtue? Well, it’s not just being nice to your neighbor (although that’s a good start). The Stoics break it down into four main pieces:
- Wisdom: This isn’t about knowing random facts for trivia night. It’s about making smart decisions in tricky situations.
- Courage: Not the “hold my beer while I jump my car over this hill” kind of courage. More the mental strength to face life’s challenges head-on.
- Justice: Being fair and doing the right thing. It’s treating others with respect.
- Self-Control: Ah, the ability to say no to that second (or fifth) cookie. It’s about moderation in all things. Except maybe in your pursuit of virtue. Go crazy with that.
2. You Can Only Control Yourself
This is the Stoic version of “you do you, boo” (I cringed writing that but I’m gonna keep it). It’s all about focusing on what you can control and letting go of the rest. And guess what? The only thing you can really control is yourself.
Your thoughts? You. Your actions? You. Your reaction to that guy who stole your parking spot? That’s on you.
Everything else? The weather, the stock market, whether or not your dad will ever say he loves you. Let it go, Elsa. It’s out of your hands.
3. Amor Fati: Love Your Fate
This is Stoic for “whatever happens, happens”. It’s like when your mom said “you get what you get and you don’t get upset.”
But it’s more than just accepting your fate. It’s about embracing it. Loving it. Making sweet, sweet lemonade out of life’s lemons.
Got fired? Awesome, new career opportunities. Stuck in traffic? Sweet, more podcast time!
4. Memento Mori: Remember You’re Gonna Die
It’s about remembering that life is short, so you better make it count.
It’s the original YOLO. But instead of using it as an excuse to make poor life choices, use it as motivation to live your best life. Now.
Want to write a book? Start today. Want to travel the world? Plan that trip. Want to finally learn how to make pasta by hand? Go for it.
5. Live According to Nature
Before you go hugging trees and howling at the moon, this isn’t about becoming a woodland creature. It’s about living in harmony with the natural order of things.
It’s recognizing that you’re part of something bigger. That your actions have consequences. That everything is connected. (Cue “Circle of Life” from The Lion King.)
It’s about using your big beautiful brain to live rationally and in sync with the world around you.
“Josh, this all sounds great and philosophical, but how do I actually use this stuff in real life?“
Glad you asked! Here’s how to Stoic-ify your life:
How to Apply the Tenets of Stoicism to Your Life
1. Build Your Mental Fortress
Imagine you’re building a mental castle. Fill it with positive thoughts, rational thinking, and a “I’ve got this” attitude. Boom, you’re now the king/queen of your own mind.
When life starts throwing curveballs (or flaming arrows, to stick with our castle metaphor), retreat to your inner fortress. It’s your safe space where external events can’t touch you.
2. Treat Obstacles as Opportunities
See that big scary problem? It’s now an opportunity to flex your Stoic muscles. Reframe it, crush it, grow from it.
Lost your job? It’s a chance to find a better one. Relationship ended? Time for self-improvement and growth. Zombie apocalypse? Finally, a chance to use those survival skills you learned from binging The Walking Dead.
3. Observe Your Emotions
Just like you’d train your body, train your emotions. Next time you’re stuck in a 2-hour meeting that could’ve been an email, practice some Stoic patience.
Angry? Take a breath. Anxious? Analyze your thoughts.
4. Reflect Daily
Take a few minutes each day to journal. What went well? What could you improve? It’s like watching post-game film.
Ask yourself: Did I act virtuously today? Did I focus on what I could control? Did I embrace whatever life threw at me?
If the answer is yes, great! If not, no worries. Tomorrow’s another day to make progress.
5. Find Stoic Community
Find other people into Stoicism. Surrounding yourself with fellow Stoics can help you stay on track.
Accountability partners for your philosophical journey.
Is Stoicism Just Emotional Repression?
Stoicism isn’t about suppressing your emotions or being a robot. It’s about understanding your emotions, managing them, and using them to fuel your growth.
It’s not about never feeling sad or angry or anxious. It’s about not letting those emotions control you. You’re the boss of your feelings, not the other way around.
It’s not about being emotionless, it’s about being in control of your emotions. It’s not about ignoring the world, it’s about engaging with it wisely.
So congrats on joining the ranks of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus (the Avengers of Stoicism).
Josh
P.S. Remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect. Even Marcus Aurelius probably lost his cool sometimes. (I bet he stubbed his toe on a marble column and cursed in Latin.) The goal is progress, not perfection, being a little more Stoic every day.
