All posts tagged: Stoicism

6 Exercises to Practice Stoicism in a Stressful World

6 Exercises to Practice Stoicism in a Stressful World

Published by Sam Flores

Published: Apr 25, 2026written by Igor Zanetti, BA Philosophy, BA Pedagogy   In a world defined by constant pressure, uncertainty, and distraction, finding inner calm can feel increasingly difficult. Stoicism, an ancient philosophical school developed during the Hellenistic Period, offers practical guidance for navigating stress without denying reality or suppressing emotion. Rather than promising escape from hardship, Stoicism teaches how to respond to challenges with clarity, self-control, and resilience. Philosophers such as Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius viewed philosophy not as abstract theory, but as a daily practice aimed at improving one’s character and peace of mind. Their teachings remain remarkably relevant.   What Is Stoicism? New York Movie, by Edward Hopper, 1939. Source: MoMA, New York   Stoicism emerged during the Hellenistic Era, a historical period marked by profound instability and uncertainty. Following the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, the Greek world fragmented into rival kingdoms, long-standing political structures collapsed, and individuals found themselves increasingly powerless in the face of larger historical forces. In this climate of social upheaval, traditional sources …

Can Stoicism Improve Personal and Professional Relationships?

Can Stoicism Improve Personal and Professional Relationships?

Published by Sam Flores

Published: Mar 2, 2026written by Natalie Noland, BS Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Summary Stoic wisdom: Focus on what you can control, improving reactions and easing conflicts at work and home. Memento mori reduces anxiety about outcomes, allowing you to stay present and open during challenging conversations. Temperance builds trust: balanced emotions make you dependable, patient, and consistent in relationships. Justice and sympatheia expand empathy, guiding choices that benefit both you and others. Stoic practices, including daily reflection, pausing before reacting, and negative visualization, strengthen personal and professional connections. Show more   Stoicism is a philosophy of life that was first developed in 300 BCE. Zeno of Citium was its founder, and his teachings quickly gained widespread traction. He argued that the world was rational and that living in accordance with nature was the ultimate goal.   Nowadays, Stoics are known for their practical and straightforward approach to life, but they also have a reputation for being harsh and unforgiving. It might be surprising, then, to learn that Stoicism can be extremely helpful for cultivating relationships.   The Four Stoic Virtues for Better …

Rain, rain, go away: the peculiar British stoicism of ‘celebrating’ awful weather | UK weather

Rain, rain, go away: the peculiar British stoicism of ‘celebrating’ awful weather | UK weather

Published by Jenni Sidey

May it fall as a blessing, not as a curse. So goes the ancient prayer inviting us to embrace days of rain. It is a prayer that would not be welcomed by anyone on the floodplains the UK persists in filling with houses. It would be met with outright hostility by any farmers who are now unable to do any of the things they need to do in February because their land has had literally 40 days and nights of rain. For most, though, weather affects mood, not home or livelihood. The recent wet spell has been so abundant that residents of these islands may feel they are running out of ways to express stoical acceptance of the inevitability of rainfall: “the garden needed it”, “lovely weather for ducks” and the rest. Like Wales’s “raining old women and sticks” and the Midlands’ “black over the back of Bill’s mother’s”, these phrases defy all efforts to find their origins. The origin – and the content – is beside the point. Shoppers make the best of the …

Why Stoicism treats self-control as a form of intelligence

Why Stoicism treats self-control as a form of intelligence

Published by Jenni Sidey

Sign up for Big Think on Substack The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free. Stoicism has been flattened into slogans about toughness, detachment, and emotional silence, a version that’s easy to sell, but mostly wrong.  Massimo Pigliucci returns Stoicism to its original purpose: a practical philosophy built to help ordinary people make better judgments, set wiser priorities, and live well with others in a world that resists control. MASSIMO PIGLIUCCI: Today you’re going to learn a little bit about what the Stoics mean by being a good human being. We’ll learn to live more rationally, to conduct a life based on reason, and to deal with our emotions in the best way we can. I am Massimo Pigliucci. I am an evolutionary biologist and a philosopher of science. And my latest book is called “Beyond Stoicism,” co-authored with Greg Lopez and Meredith Kunz. – [Narrator] Chapter 1: What is Stoicism? – Stoicism is a philosophy of life that suggests that the best way to live a human life …

Why Stoicism fails when treated like self-help

Why Stoicism fails when treated like self-help

Published by Jenni Sidey

Sign up for Big Think on Substack The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free. Stoicism is often mistaken for emotional withdrawal or rigid self-control. What that misinterpretation gets wrong is that it actually centers the discipline of attention. Massimo Pigliucci reframes this misconception, revealing how this philosophy can lead to a clearer sense of agency – if implemented correctly. MASSIMO PIGLIUCCI: The Stoics, are nothing if not realists about life. They accept the world the way it actually is, not the way you would want it to be. The problem is, of course, that life sometimes is complicated, that are multiple choices. We have a tendency to want to simplify things and go for something that is stark, that is clear, that is obvious. That’s just not the way the world works. And, according to the Stoics, it’s much better to try to understand how the world works and then act accordingly. Rather than trying to impose on the world the way we want to think or the …