5 Principles of Stoicism That Will Make You Invincible

Photo by Hassan Sherif on Unsplash

Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and became popular in ancient Rome. It emphasizes personal ethics, self-control, and accepting the natural order of things.

According to the stoics, the key to a good life is to focus on what is within our control and accept what is not.

Here are 5 principles of stoicism that, if properly practiced, will make you invincible to external influence.

1. The dichotomy of control: One of the core principles of stoicism is recognizing that some things are simply beyond our control, so by accepting this and letting go of our attempts to change them, we can free ourselves from unnecessary suffering and frustration.
2. Practice gratitude: Gratitude helps to shift our focus away from what we lack and towards all the good things that we already have by cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we can become more content and resilient no matter what life throws our way.
3. Cultivate a sense of purpose: Having a sense of purpose gives us a reason to keep going even when things get tough by finding and pursuing a meaningful goal, we can stay motivated and focused even in the face of challenges and setbacks.
4. Focus on what you can control: While you can not control external events, we can control our own thoughts, actions, and attitudes. By focusing on what we can control and taking responsibility for our own lives, we can become more confident and face the adversities in calmness.
5. Use negative experiences as an opportunity for growth: Every challenge and setback presents an opportunity for learning and growth, so by re-framing negative experiences as ones to learn from, we can turn them into positive drivers of personal development.