Controlling Emotions with 7 Stoic Lessons

Atul Jain
2 min readApr 18, 2024

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Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by emotions. This post explores stoic techniques for gaining more control over feelings.

Accept What You Can’t Change

Stoics believed focusing on what you can influence, like thoughts and actions, rather than stressing over things out of your power frees you from unnecessary anxiety.

Practice Negative Visualization

Imagining worst cases scenarios helps prepare mentally. This stoic technique builds resilience and gratitude for what you have in the present.

Embrace Impermanence

Everything changes, including emotions. Recognizing feelings come and go avoids being defined by them. Stoicism is about feeling fully while maintaining calm control.

Cultivate Virtue

Living virtuously according to wisdom, courage, justice and discipline aligns actions with values and protects from impulse.

Practice Self-Discipline

Delaying gratification and long-term thinking through self-discipline prevents reactionary emotions and fosters intentional responses.

Focus on Now

Mindfulness brings fulfillment versus dwelling on past mistakes or future worries which breed stress.

Self-Reflect Daily

Noting patterns in thoughts and behaviors through reflection aids self-understanding and continual growth.

Q & A:

Q1: How can stoicism enhance emotional well-being?

A1: Stoic techniques like acceptance, visualization and discipline train rational emotional responses versus reactivity.

Q2: Is suppressing all emotions healthy?

A2: No, stoicism encourages feeling while maintaining composure to avoid being ruled by transitory feelings.

Q3: Can anyone benefit from stoicism?

A3: Yes, its universally applicable principles support personal improvement for people of any background.

Q4: How long until stoicism helps emotions?

A4: While some feel immediate impacts, consistency over weeks/months forms new habits yielding long-lasting benefits.

Q5: Where can I learn more?

A5: Books like Meditations, Letters from a Stoic, and Discourses offer theory and practical application advice. See recommended reading section below.

In conclusion, strong emotions will always arise but stoicism provides mindfulness-based techniques promoting rational responses and inner peace. With daily practice, greater control over feelings becomes achievable.

What I published recently:

How to Calmly Let Go and Stop Worrying
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My most popular posts of all time:

Living Well Daily: Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic Insights for Peace of Mind
“Act As If Nothing Bothers You” — 18 Stoic Principles from Epictetus to Master Your Emotions
The Stoic Guide to Love: Enhancing Relationship Dynamics with Timeless Wisdom
8 Stoic Secrets to SHUT DOWN Disrespect Once and for All

Recommended Reading

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

Practicing Mindfulness

Disclosure: The provided links are affiliate links, and I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them.

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