What is Stoicism? The Age-Old Wisdom Taking Over the Modern World!

Introduction

Hey there! Ever found yourself scrolling through social media and stumbled across a quote from someone named Marcus Aurelius or Seneca and thought, “Who are these guys and why are their words so darn relatable?” Well, welcome to the world of Stoicism! You’ve just dipped your toes into an ancient philosophy that’s not just about old texts but has truckloads of modern-day relevance.

Historical Background

Stoicism: Ancient Roots with a Twist of Roman Flair

Stoicism started out as a school of thought in Athens around the 3rd century BCE, founded by a guy named Zeno of Citium. While Greece gets the credit for its inception, it’s the Romans—especially folks like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus—who truly embraced Stoicism and made it famous. Picture this: The Roman Empire, with its vast expanse and buzzing urban life, and amidst all this grandeur, leaders and scholars alike are scribbling down notes on how to live a good life. Kinda impressive, right?

Core Principles of Stoicism

Unpacking Stoicism: The Meat and Potatoes of Stoic Thought

Diving right in, let’s break down some major Stoic principles:

The Dichotomy of Control

Think about the last time you were stuck in traffic. I recall once missing a really important meeting because of a traffic jam. I was fuming! But here’s the Stoic take on this type of situation: Why get angry over something you can’t control? Instead, focus on what you can control—like leaving earlier next time or using the delay to listen to a cool podcast.

Virtue is the Sole Good

Virtue for the Stoics is like the golden ticket. They believed that being a good person and doing the right thing was the ultimate form of wealth. It’s not about how many Instagram followers you have or that new pair of sneakers; it’s about how you treat people and how you handle adversity.

Nature as a Guide

Stoics are big fans of nature. Not just in a “let’s-go-hiking” way, but by finding great meaning and guidance in the natural world. For them, studying and aligning with nature was about much more than enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, but in the belief that the universe has a natural order and rhythm. Stoics believed the universe operates according to rational, purposeful laws of nature that dictate the ebb and flow of events.

Think of it like surfing: you can’t control the waves, but you can learn to ride them. Stoics aim to live in harmony with the way of nature rather than fighting against it futilely. Just as a surfer gains nothing by struggling against the power of the ocean’s waves, we are better off recognizing the patterns and flows in life that we cannot control.

Aligning our judgments and actions with nature allows us to adapt to life’s challenges and unpredictability. Attempting to rigidly control the uncontrollable, on the other hand, leads to frustration and suffering.

Emotions and Judgment

Ever got really mad at someone, only to realize later that you misunderstood the situation? Stoics believe that it’s not external events that upset us, but our judgments about them. By reassessing our judgments, we can alter our emotional reactions.

Personal story: I once saw a friend walk by without acknowledging me. I immediately judged that they were ignoring me intentionally and felt hurt and angry as a result. Turns out however, the reasons they did not noticed me – they had just gotten some upsetting news and had their mind elsewhere.

In reality, it is our interpretation that a person’s behavior is a deliberate slight that distresses us, not merely the event itself. The Stoics recognized that people’s judgments about situations are shaped by their expectations, biases, and assumptions. This means our judgments are fallible.

Key Stoic Practices

Living Stoicism: How Do You ‘Do’ It in Daily Life?

Knowing the principles is great, but how do you actually practice Stoicism in the real world?

Reflective Journaling

Taking time daily to jot down your thoughts can be transformative. I’ve been journaling for years, and it’s like a mental detox. It’s a space to reflect on your actions, decisions, and emotions.

Journaling for just a few minutes each day can have a profound impact on your mental health and clarity. The simple act of writing down your honest thoughts, feelings, and reflections acts as a form of meditation and stress relief.

I’ve kept a daily journal for over five years now, and found it to be extremely helpful. Writing provides me that rare opportunity to process my inner world without filter or judgment. It functions like a pressure release valve, allowing me to pour out any anxieties, frustrations, confusions, and ups and downs from the day.

Negative Visualization

Sounds a bit grim, but bear with me. It’s about imagining challenges or setbacks to prepare yourself mentally. For instance, before public speaking, I’d visualize forgetting my lines. And when I did trip up once, I was ready, turned it into a joke, and moved on!

Though it is initially uncomfortable to imagine failure, this practice conditions you to handle problems with agility if they do occur. By walking through these made up situations in your mind first, you’ve essentially stress-tested your ability to cope.

Voluntary Discomfort

This is about pushing your comfort zone. It’s like taking cold showers or occasionally skipping a meal. I tried the cold shower thing—yep, it’s chilly, but it teaches resilience and makes warm showers feel like a luxury.

Seeking out small, manageable doses of discomfort voluntarily is a classic Stoic exercise for training mental resilience. The premise is simple – by deliberately enduring minor hardship or inconvenience, we can expand our comfort zone and protect ourselves against the stress of difficulties that will occur.

Examples include going without desserts, fasting periodically, or sleeping on the floor. It’s not about abstinence or denying ourselves joy, but practicing discomfort on your own terms. Other options are trying new hobbies like public speaking that may initially make you anxious.

Stoicism in the Modern World

Stoicism’s Relevance: Why an Ancient Philosophy is Trending Today

It’s no mystery that Stoicism isn’t just for ancient Romans. Its principles pop up in modern therapy techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Today, there’s a full-blown Stoic revival, with thriving online communities, a plethora of books, and even Stoic conventions!

Especially for young adults, amidst the chaos of job hunts, relationships, and ever-changing tech, Stoicism offers a grounding perspective. A friend once told me, while battling job rejections, that Stoicism taught her to focus on refining her skills, rather than obsessing over outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Stoicism Today: Why Should You Care?

Self-awareness and Reflection: Understand yourself better. As a college student, journaling helped me navigate tricky decisions about majors and career paths.
Resilience and Adaptability: Equip yourself for life’s curveballs, whether it’s unexpected pandemic lockdowns or that surprise quiz.
Control: Realize that while you can’t control everything, you can control your reaction, focus, and mindset.

Conclusion

In wrapping up our exploration of Stoicism, it’s evident that this millennia-old wisdom feels like a breath of fresh air in today’s world. Whether you’re searching for inner peace, strategies to tackle stress, or merely an intriguing philosophical read—Stoicism could be the philosophy you’ve been seeking.

In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world that often feels chaotic and beyond control, the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophy offers a reassuring and grounding framework for living. While Stoicism originated in the 3rd century BC, its teachings provide timeless guidance that resonates just as strongly today.

At its core, Stoicism is about attaining inner peace and tranquility by accepting what we cannot control, while courageously shaping our responses to external events. It provides effective strategies for overcoming destructive emotions like anxiety, frustration, and anger. By understanding what truly lies within our power and what does not, Stoicism helps us adjust our expectations and perceptions to reduce suffering.