STOICISM – Is It Possible? Do You Have Time For It?

Stoicism is an ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. Stoics believed that the universe operated according to reason, or ‘logos’, providing a unified account of the world, constructed from ideals of rational, secular discourse, monistic physics, and naturalistic ethics. These three ideals are to constitute a virtue, which is necessary for the Stoic goal of ‘ living a well reasoned life’. Zeno of Citium (334-262 BC) founded the Stoic school in Athens around 300 BC, establishing its core principles of virtue, reason, and living in accordance with nature.

How can we find this well reasoned life in times of chaos?

1. Discomfort Is A Path To Personal Growth 

This state of being serves as a signal that you’re stretching beyond your limits and engaging in meaningful development. 
Rather than avoiding discomfort, reframing discomfort as a catalyst for learning and resilience enables transformation. Research shows that actively seeking discomfort, such as taking on challenging tasks, embracing feedback, or confronting fears, increases motivation and perceived progress across areas like skill-building, emotional processing, and self-awareness. Man up! Woman up! Get on with it!

2. Focus On What You Can Control

Focusing on what we can control is a foundational principle rooted in Stoic philosophy and widely supported by modern psychology for improving mental health, reducing stress, and building resilience. Squandering energy and emotion on uncertainties and the unknowns and the plausibility of life, love, prosperity, geopolitics and health are elements of self harm – a ‘Serenity Prayer’ sorta thing. A friend and colleague always had this to say; “You got to do the things you can do something about”.

3. Live In The Present Moment

Living in the present moment means fully engaging with what is happening right now – your thoughts, sensations, surroundings, and actions – without being caught up in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. It’s about being aware and mindful of the current experience, including your internal states, and choosing to focus on them with curiosity and acceptance. Engaging your five senses, mindful breathing, single tasking, observing without judgement, and using affirmations can help staying in the now and acknowledging the power of now.

4. Focus On The Process – Let Outcomes Fall As They May

This mindset shifts your attention from uncontrollable results to the actions within your power. When you concentrate on consistent, high-quality effort, you build resilience, improve skills, and create sustainable progress. Showing up and focusing on the process allows results to emerge naturally, even when they don’t align with your initial expectations. The Stoics encouraged an appreciation for the work itself and a focus on improving ones craft, a training to be nearly indifferent to the material results that follow the actions. This approach can reduce anxiety tied to failure and foster motivation. Value progress over perfection.

5. Anger Is A Clue That You Have More Work To Do

Anger often signals that something is blocking your progress toward a goal, acting as a psychological cue that a challenge needs to be addressed. According to research from Texas A&M University, anger arises when there’s a discrepancy between what you want and what you currently have, especially when obstacles are present. This emotional response can sharpen focus, increase persistence, and drive action in the face of difficulty. Anger highlights obstacles, fuels goal-directed behavior, and can lead to assertiveness and change. Anger, when properly directed can be a precursor to positive energy.

6. Happiness Equals Reality Minus Expectations

This concept suggests that happiness is determined by the difference between your current reality and your expectations. 
When reality exceeds expectations, you feel happy. When it falls short, disappointment follows. The Stoics highlighted an important point: It is much easier to lower our expectations than to improve the world around us—of which we have limited control. whatever your happy place is, it might be better to under promise the expectation and overdeliver, even if by accident. A happy surprise is always more welcome than any negative self-fulfilling prophecy. Practice gratitude for what you have, regardless of unmet desires. Reframe disappointment as a chance to appreciate what is, not what was expected.

7. Find Joy In What You Have – What Is

Joy shouldn’t be dependent on external circumstances. Typically it comes from within. Unlike happiness, which is fleeting and tied to events, joy is a deeper, lasting state rooted in gratitude, perspective, and choice.  It arises when you intentionally focus on what you already have, whether it’s a warm cup of coffee, a moment of quiet, a loved one’s smile, a day, a week, a month without a tumor, or simply the ability to breathe amid the turmoil of existential threat. 

Your time may be short. Make the most of your time.

“Time, The End Of Time” – The Chameleons

One chance is all you have
When it’s gone all you have is sorrow
One chance is all you have
Take it on like there’s no tomorrow

Don’t waste your time
Don’t waste time
Time

Time slipping away
Have to make the most of your time
You don’t have time
Time, open the door
Somewhere in the back of your mind
Child, you don’t have time
Anymore
Time

Unchained intoxicating youth
Such an endless feeling
These days are softly stolen away
While your head is reeling

Don’t waste your time
Don’t waste time
Time, time

Time slipping away
Have to make the most of your time
You don’t have time
Time, open the door
Somewhere in the back of your mind
Child, you don’t have time
Anymore

Don’t waste your days away
And crying all night
Lonely child, lonely child
Hear me

Don’t waste your days away
Crying all night
Lonely child, lonely child
Hear me
Don’t waste your days away
Crying all night
Oh, lonely child, lonely child
Hear me

Time slipping away
Have to make the most of your time
You don’t have time
Time, open the door
Somewhere in the back of your mind
Child, you don’t have time

Time, time, time slipping away
Somewhere in the back of your mind
In your mind, in your mind

Tick, tick, tick, tick
Tick, tick, tick, tick
Oh no

Time
Time