When I started studying Stoicism just a few weeks ago, I was hoping it would help me with lot of negative emotions, and one of the big ones was how I cope with politics. Watching democracy rot from within has been horrible, but there I go already, bemoaning the state of the world when it is well outside my control.
I’m still very new to Stoicism, so believe me, I am no expert. And I am woefully imperfect, but there is a lot to this philosophy that makes it easier to process what is happening in our country and in the world.
The most important Stoic concept for me is the distinction between what is within my control and what is not. I do not control elections, politicians, headlines or what other people think. I do not control what laws are proposed or passed, what people post online or what happens tomorrow.
What I can control is me. My actions. I control whether I pay attention or tune out. Whether I speak up or stay silent. Whether I vote. Whether I support a candidate I value or give aid to someone in need. Whether I act with integrity. Whether I let anger consume me.
Everybody thinks Stoicism is about not caring, but that’s not true. We just need to spend less energy on outcomes and more energy on our character. Honorable effort. Good choices. How we behave.
As I intepret it, we can believe what’s happening is harmful and do our part to affect it, but we can’t expect to bend the universe to our will. Lately it does seem as though it’s going in the complete opposite direction of what I want, but I take some time during the day to contemplate the pillars of Stoicism – wisdom, courage, discipline and justice. How can I use the resources of being human to stay steady and preserve my tranquility? To not let the bad stuff diminish the joy that comes from being alive?
At first that felt like surrender, but now I see it as accepting reality. And I am much calmer.
I’ve been thinking about small things. Making a call. Donating. Being kind to people. Reaching out to my neighbors. Focusing on what I can control. Do one thing and then the next necessary thing. Do what I can today and leave the rest to time.
Media consumption is another issue. I spend a lot of time reading the gloom and doom on Substack, so I deleted the app to make it harder for me to access it. I didn’t delete my account because I value some of the independent journalism on Substack, but I don’t need to immerse myself in it.
Same for the New York Times. I also made a vow not to use my phone to pass the time when I’m waiting somewhere. Instead, I pack my Kindle and read a little from my Stoic library.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps me.
Here are a few quotes from notable Stoics:
Marcus Aurelius
You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Waste no more time arguing what a good person should be. Be one.
Epictetus
Some things are up to us and some are not up to us.
Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.
Seneca
We suffer more often in imagination than in reality.
Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.