Stoicism

Have you ever heard the term stoicism, a thought that has changed the lives of many people in finding peace?

Stoicism is a useful framework for living, particularly in challenging or stressful situations like anxiety or anger. It helps us stay calm so that we can think clearly, make the best decisions, and avoid stress. In modern times, this mindset forms the basis of psychotherapy for depression. Stoicism is a practical philosophy that can be practiced in our daily lives.

The first step is to train ourselves in adversity, to face what we fear the most. Stoics suggest that we train ourselves to endure suffering by imagining or even practicing the worst-case scenarios that could happen in life. This training prepares us so that if misfortune does strike, we will be okay. For example, twice a year the Stoic philosophers would put aside their nice clothes, wear worn and dirty clothes, sleep on the floor, eat stale bread, and drink water from a pet's bowl. Essentially, they put themselves in uncomfortable conditions. You can train misfortune by living a very simple life or by imagining in detail the worst possible situations and what you would do if you had to face them. Practicing misfortune prepares our ability to remain calm when real misfortune comes into our lives. Seneca said that unexpected misfortunes are often the most painful, so wise people have already thought about misfortune beforehand.

The second one is the dichotomy of control. When you look at a situation, differentiate what you can change and what you can't. What you can influence and what you can't. No matter how hard you try, you can't force others. If someone has decided not to like you, use your time and energy to change what you can change. Don't waste time shaking things that can't be shaken.

The third one is to train perception. Marcus Aurelius said that if we choose not to be hurt, then we won't be hurt. Don't feel hurt and you won't be hurt. For example, when you expect a promotion but a colleague gets promoted instead, you can decide whether to continue grumbling or to use this moment as additional motivation to work harder.

Fourth, seeing things from a broader perspective, as if looking from above when observing something. Take a step back to zoom out, to see something in a wider context. Like an astronaut looking at the Earth, it reminds us of how small we are. As the Stoic philosopher Pierre Hadot said, looking from above changes our judgment on certain things. Luxuries, power struggles, and everyday worries appear absurd.

Fifth, remember that nothing in life is permanent. Status, reputation, achievements, possessions, or people, none of these are permanent in our lives. What matters to a Stoic is being a good person now and doing the right thing as long as we are alive.

Sixth, Memento Mori. Remember death. In his book "Meditations", Marcus Aurelius wrote that we can leave this life at any time. Let this determine what we do, say, and think. Thinking about death in this life can be depressing if we don't understand it correctly. Stoics believe that contemplating death brings humility and awakens the spirit to live.

Seventh, Amor Fati. Love your fate. Epictetus, a disabled slave and Stoic philosopher, faced difficulty after difficulty in his life. He said, "Do not wish for things to happen as you wish, but wish for them to happen as they do, and you will be happy". Accept all situations no matter how challenging, even love these situations, and transform every obstacle and difficulty into fuel for becoming a better human being. That is Stoicism.