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.
I deleted the NYT in 2019, and it felt wonderful. Instant upgrade to my quality of life. Then the pandemic hit in 2020, and I felt like I had to, also wanted to, stay abreast. Then the NYT deleted the pandemic. (Get me started.) The only thing good about that was I could delete them again. Now I’m back where I belong. Sometimes I look at their headlines, and sometimes I skip even that momentary pulse of rage and just enjoy my better life.
I think I meant “cancelled”, not “deleted”. But same, same.
Sorry I’m a bit late to this post. Glad to hear that you are interested in learning about the Stoics and sharing it with us. I’m a proponent of Stoicism because it fits with my values. It is not easy to let go of things I can’t control but I aspire to remember and practice it daily even when reading the NYT. I get most of my news from Substack journalists that I trust with the truth. Donna, are you familiar with Ryan Holiday? He has written a number of books on Stoicism and also has a podcast called The Daily Stoic. Dr. Arthur Brooks had an interesting interview with him on YouTube, “Four Practical Ways to Live Like A Stoic.”
Good call!
I’m still on the waiting list for the Ryan Holiday book. I’ve read about him, and it sounds like he’s a master marketer who figured out a way to make money off of Stoicism. But I could get over that, really. I will read the book and decide if it’s of value. I suspect it will be. I’m probably being a wee bit judgmental.
Yep, another one who has figured out a way to make a buck. I don’t think he’s a billionaire tho.
Yeah, I’ve been thinking. So what if he figured out how to make is accessible? That’s a good thing.
Sounds like the Stoics are offering helpful solutions, so I’m going to have to get myself together to start reading those books. Especially as we’re sliding further into right wing nonsense over here in the UK too, and I’m feeling myself getting wound up about it. Not helped by Himself being home with a bad back and flooding the airwaves (OK, our TV) with news and podcasters discussing said subject over-and-over in minute detail. I’ve been reading, but am beginning to think it’s time to download Audible again so I can listen to a book rather than fighting with keeping the political noise away from my consciousness as I try to read. Foolishly, I allowed myself to believe he would recover with the speed he persuaded himself he would, despite being an expert in back trouble and knowing it would be longer. Acceptance is something both of us in this house could do with practicing more…
That sounds a lot like what is going on at our house. Dale doesn’t want to read about the Stoics, but he really likes the tidbits I share, and it has been quite helpful. I have about three Stoic books going at once, plus some of the original works. I’m OK with that. They are all different, and some are easier to absorb than others. I try to read from at least one of them for 30 minutes a day, but that’s about it for me.