Why Become a Stoic?
Stoic principles provide you with an anchor. Something to strive for and a pathway to a happier life without needing to purchase anything. Stoicism offers guidelines for your life, making decisions easier and strengthening your belief in yourself. Yes, it’s something you simply become – it’s about choosing it and getting started.
Much of modern life focuses on what you can get and how you can realize your potential and achieve happiness through what you can obtain. Stoicism, however, shifts the focus back to being a good person. This doesn’t exclude achieving great things or acquiring wealth. Many powerful and wealthy Stoics have existed throughout history, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s just not the goal of being a Stoic.
Stoicism is a philosophy. A life philosophy. It’s about developing your character and working towards becoming the best person you can be.
The 3 Core Elements of Being a Stoic: Think, Act, Feel
Stoicism is not just a philosophy but a way of life that involves the harmonious interplay of thinking, acting, and feeling. These three core elements are crucial for developing a Stoic mindset and leading a balanced and fulfilling life. Here’s why each of these elements is important and how they interlink:
1. Thinking like a stoic
Thinking is the foundation of Stoicism. It involves continuous self-reflection and the cultivation of wisdom through understanding and rational thought. By engaging in reflection and journaling, you can gain insight into your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Practical training
- Reflection: Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on your actions and thoughts. Ask yourself what went well, what didn’t, and what you can learn from your experiences.
- Journaling: Keep a journal to document your reflections. Write about your thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences. This practice will help you understand yourself better and make more rational decisions.
2. Acting like a stoic
Action is where Stoic principles come to life. It’s not enough to merely think about Stoic ideals; you must also act on them. Challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone and do things differently is key to personal growth and resilience.
Practical Training
- Challenging Yourself: Identify areas in your life where you tend to take the easy route or avoid discomfort. Set small, manageable challenges to push yourself beyond these limitations. For example, if you shy away from public speaking, start by speaking up more in small group settings.
- Consistency: Make a habit of regularly challenging yourself in different aspects of life. This will build resilience and help you become more adaptable.
3. Feeling like a stoic
Feeling encompasses your emotional life and how you respond to external events. Stoicism teaches that while we cannot control external events, we can control our reactions to them. Meditation is a powerful tool to develop emotional resilience and maintain inner peace.
Practical Training
- Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Start with just a few minutes a day and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
- Emotional Regulation: Use meditation to train your mind to respond calmly to stressful situations. This will help you manage your emotions better and maintain a Stoic calm in the face of adversity.
Being a holistic stoic
These three elements—thinking, acting, and feeling—are deeply interlinked. Reflective thinking helps you understand your actions and emotions, acting on Stoic principles reinforces your thoughts and cultivates resilience, and managing your feelings through meditation supports both your reflective and active practices. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to living a Stoic life.
By integrating these core elements into your daily routine, you can start your Stoic journey and develop a strong, balanced, and resilient mindset. Embrace the wisdom of Stoicism and transform your life through thoughtful reflection, deliberate action, and mindful emotional regulation.
Your First Training
#1 Decide to Live like a stoic
The first thing you need to do is make a decision. It doesn’t have to be a decision forever, but it should be a commitment you take seriously. Don’t do it halfway.
“Do or do not” as Yoda expresses in the Star Wars saga.
Since you’ve come this far, you probably already want something different in your life. Now, you need to work on this from a Stoic perspective.
Set a time frame for yourself before you revisit and reassess.
It could be as little as three weeks.
#2 Take Responsibility for Your Emotions
The Stoics believed that we have control over our own emotions and can choose to respond to challenges in a rational and reflective way. Try to be more aware of your own emotions and how you react to them. Learn about your emotional triggers and identify when your reactions are inappropriate. Consider keeping a journal each evening about how you reacted throughout the day.
#3 Read and Reflect
Reading philosophical texts can help you develop a Stoic approach to life. Read works by Stoics like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, and reflect on how their ideas can be relevant to your own life. Start by exploring Stoic principles here.
Importantly, start a notebook. Preferably analog, with paper and pencil. Write down the things that resonate with you and try to formulate them as actions you will take.
#4 Practice Patience
The Stoics emphasized the importance of accepting things as they are and being patient with what cannot be changed. Try to be more patient with yourself and others, and remember that things take time and that life is a journey.
Join the Movement
Join us on this journey to unlock your true potential and embrace a life of stoic serenity.