Everyone experiences fear and anxiety. That’s not always a bad thing. These are biological responses that can help us survive by encouraging us to prepare for the future. However, there are times when anxiety can become so bad that it cripples us. It is not merely a mild discomfort but a veritable mental torture. Many have found that developing a stoic mindset helped them manage their anxiety. This is not a replacement for professional mental services but it can be quite beneficial. Below are a few of the tools that stoics use to exercise greater control over their thoughts and reduce their worries:
The Love of Fate
Stoics often subscribe to the concept of “amor fati” or the love of fate. They embrace whatever comes their way without judgment. They don’t the things that happen to them as either good or bad even it might seem like it’s clearly one or the other at face value. Instead, they simply believe in their ability to deal with the situations they encounter. They look at the bright side and keep a positive outlook. For example, they do not fear the loss of a job as they see it as a chance to stoic mindset elsewhere. They do not fear the end of a relationship as they can make the most of their solitude for introspection.
The Disregard for Other’s Opinions
It is sometimes necessary to listen to feedback from other people. However, we should only listen to those who we trust and respect. The rest are essentially noise, at least for stoics. They do not put much weight into what their neighbors are saying about their old car. If it still serves them well, then there is no reason to buy a brand new one just to try to keep up. This is especially true if this will end up putting them in a big financial hole. Stoics are also keen to follow their own path in life as long as they feel that it is true to their self. They are not people pleasers.
The Acceptance of Mortality
Few things are as frightening as our mortality. One day we will be in a final state that cannot be undone. It is the end of life as we know it. Instead of being anxious about their mortality, many stoics make it a point to include it in their meditations. They subscribe to the concept of “memento mori” or the remembrance of death. They accept the fact that we will all have to bow to this someday. They use this as a motivation to do better each day. With a limited lifetime, they know that they have to get their priorities straight and work harder at the things that matter to them.
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