How Can You Practically Apply Stoicism?
High school can be overwhelming. Bad grades, annoying people, parental pressure, and feeling misunderstood can easily lead to stress and emotional overload. At least, this is how I found myself feeling a lot throughout high school. I often said, “I’m just far too sensitive.” Without even realizing it, I began practicing Stoicism without even putting a name on it yet. I wanted to embrace my sensitivity while also knowing how to manage it. Stoicism was a great method for this.
There is an example on a blog I read around the time I got into Stoicism that gave a practical way of dealing with a bad test grade, stoic-style. Upon first impression, a bad score can be tough to handle, the mind usually jumps into panic and self-criticism. A Stoic approach begins with an honest acknowledgement of the emotion for example, I’m upset. I studied. Instead of spiraling, Stoicism asks an important question that you can use too: What can I do now?
Instead of dwelling in the frustration, this mindset allows space to think clearly. Things that are still possible may be a conversation with the teacher, or better preparation for next time. Even if nothing changed, do not let the grade define your worth. Once emotions are accepted rather than being fought, the situation becomes much more manageable. This same approach can be applied to many challenges beyond school, and at school.
Shattering Misconceptions
Before I talk more about stoicism, I want to shatter and expose the common misconception that is thought about stoicism. It is a common view that Stoics disapprove of emotion or push it away; however, this is far from the truth. Blog: Stoicism: Practical Philosophy you can actually use
Stoicism is actually the polar opposite of the rejection of emotion; instead, Stoicism is the acceptance of every emotion, circumstance, and things out of our control. Stoicism Marcus Aurelius taught that peace comes from accepting this reality and releasing attachment to what we cannot change. How Stoicism Shaped 5 World Leaders
Reduction of Anxiety, Fear, and Stress
Ask yourself, how often do I worry about something because it is beyond my control? There are two choices: forever stress about the fact that life is unpredictable or don’t stress about this fact, and instead, realize that you should do what you can in the present and let the rest go.
