The Stoic’s Guide to an Uncertain World
Think you live in ‘unprecedented times’? The Stoics knew a thing or two about how to thrive in times of crisis.
We all thought 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic would be one of the craziest times we’d live through (if we lived through it at all.)
Then, 2021 brought even more uncertainty, with a new US administration reeling from an attempted insurrection and more global political turmoil.
Just when things felt that they might be calming down, in early 2022, Russia launched a WWII-style land war in Europe, and a politically-tilted Supreme Court of the United States struck down fifty years of women’s rights gains.
It feels like the world is a giant pressure cooker, and we’re all just waiting for the next big thing to happen. Finding the strength to wake up and face each day can be challenging.
Hope From A Stoic
During times like these, the Stoics can offer us some much-needed guidance.
Far more than just a group of long-dead philosophers, the Stoics were a school of thought that emphasized using reason and logic to overcome negative emotions and achieve inner peace.
The Stoics believed in self-control, living in harmony with others, and making reasonable decisions despite difficult circumstances.
While the world may be chaotic, we can still find ways to live a good life by following the Stoic philosophy.
Here are some things the Stoics can teach us in our uncertain world.
1. Stay calm and rational when the world spirals out of control
A quote from the Stoic philosopher Epictetus sums up this advice when he wrote: “It is not things themselves that trouble us, but our opinion about things.”
In other words, it’s not the events happening around us that cause us stress and anxiety but rather our perceptions of those events.
When everything feels like it’s going to pieces, it can be helpful to step back and remind yourself that the world is still spinning, even if it feels like it’s about to come apart at the seams.
Stay calm and think rationally about the situation, rather than letting your emotions take over.
By keeping a level head, we can make better decisions and avoid being taken advantage of by those who would exploit our fears.
When we can find community together and support each other, we can weather any storm.
2. Maintain self-control despite overwhelming adversity
The Stoics believed that our thoughts and perceptions cause emotions like fear, anger, and sadness — and that we have the power to control them.
They believed that by controlling our emotions, we could maintain our inner peace and focus on what’s truly important, even in the midst of chaos.
The Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
This advice is just as relevant today as it was over two thousand years ago. When we can control our emotions, we can stay focused on what’s important and make better decisions, even in the middle of a crisis.
3. Remember that even living is an act of courage
One of my favorite quotes from the stoic philosopher Seneca is, “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”
In other words, just getting up each day and facing the world takes courage. Sound familiar?
When it feels like everything is against us, it can be hard to find the motivation to keep going.
But remember that you’re not alone — others are facing similar challenges.
You don’t have to be brave all the time, but just taking one small step forward can make a big difference. Taking the pressure of “being brave” off yourself is amazing what you can accomplish.
Think Like a Stoic In an Uncertain World
We may think that our world is in “unprecedented times,” — but if you could step into the shoes of a Stoic philosopher, you would realize that they faced many of the same challenges we do today.
From political turmoil to natural disasters, the world has always been a chaotic place.
The difference is that the Stoics had a philosophy to help them deal with uncertainty and find inner peace.
By following the Stoic philosophy, we can stay calm and rational during chaotic times, maintain self-control, and find peace of mind even in the worst situations.
So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainty of the world, remember the Stoics and what they can teach us.
It may just be the calm in the storm you — and those around you — need to become the positive change our world needs.
Do you find the Stoic philosophy helpful in dealing with uncertain times? What other tips do you have for finding inner peace and calm? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
