Mastering The Art Of Stoicism: 20 Essential Practices For Embracing Life's Absurdities

20 Essential Practices For Embracing Life's Absurdities

NextLevel Coach

10 Oct 2023 • 4 min read

1. Embrace the Absurd

Life is gloriously unpredictable. Strap in, laugh at the chaos, and know that your response is what defines you. Remember the Stoics: it’s not the event, but your opinion about it that matters. Learn to roll with the punches—after all, you can't control the weather, but you can dance in the rain. [Source: Psychology Today]

2. Practice Negative Visualization

Get ahead of disappointment by contemplating the worst-case scenarios. Not a fan of doomsday planning? Tough luck! Dreading that inevitable meeting? Imagine it crumbling in spectacular fashion. This “premeditatio malorum” (premeditation of evils) trick allows you to appreciate the present while preparing for potential disasters. [Source: Mindful]

3. Accept What You Can't Control

Spoiler alert: most things in life are beyond your grasp. Stop sweating the small stuff—like your neighbor's incessant lawn mowing at 7 AM. Acknowledge that no amount of moaning will change their schedule; focus instead on sipping your coffee—ideally black, because Stoicism prefers it strong. [Source: Daily Stoic]

4. Persevere Like a Stoic

When life hands you lemons, extract the bitter juice and make a perplexingly philosophical lemonade. Stoics believed in endurance above all; every hiccup is a setup for becoming a stronger you. So, when your internet goes down right before a deadline, channel your inner Marcus Aurelius, breathe deep, and pen your masterpiece with an actual pen. [Source: Blogophilia]

5. Cultivate Self-Discipline

Desire is the enemy, my friend. Forget that pesky snack craving; remind yourself that true freedom lies in mastery over your whims. Develop a daily routine—because the only thing truly chaotic should be your sarcastic inner dialogue, not your schedule. [Source: Psychology Today]

6. Value Community

Stoics weren’t lone wolves; they thrived on connection. Build your tribe, those fellow warriors in the battle of life. But if they bring toxic drama? Let go faster than you can say "Epictetus." Surround yourself with quality—like a fine Bordeaux or the people that make you laugh until you snort. [Source: Psychology Today]

7. Reflect Daily

Diary journaling is not just for teenagers. Every night, make it a point to reflect on the day’s absurdities and triumphs. Analyze what went right and wrong with a glass of wine, or a cup of herbal tea if you’re feeling all Zen. Channel your inner Seneca—he’d probably approve, provided you’re not scribbling during a terrible rom-com. [Source: Good Therapy]

8. Engage in Mindfulness

Stop living like a robot on autopilot. Experience life! Feel that awkward silence? Embrace it. Notice the taste of your food, the colors around you, or even the sound of your neighbor's dog. Practicing mindfulness keeps you anchored in the present—a key Stoic principle that prevents your mind from dwelling on past embarrassments and future hypotheticals. [Source: Greater Good Science Center]

9. Foster Gratitude

While it’s easy to complain about your day, remind yourself of the good. Start a gratitude journal or just mumble them in the shower. Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s wrong to what’s undeniably awesome—like that time you didn’t trip on a curb, despite your clumsiness. [Source: Positive Psychology]

10. Maintain Perspective

When in doubt, look up. Those colossal clouds? They’ve been around for centuries, witnessing your mundane problems. Remember, you are a tiny part of a vast universe. Try to keep your worries in that cosmic context; it’s a guaranteed mood booster. [Source: Daily Stoic]

11. Learn from Failures

Not every day will be rainbows and kittens. Fumbling is part of the human experience. Own that epic fail and dissect it like Socrates would—hopefully without the hemlock, though. Mistakes are merely lessons folded between chapters of your success story. [Source: Psychology Today]

12. Be a Student, Not a Master

Adopt the humble mindset of a ceaseless learner. No one knows everything, especially not about the latest TikTok dance. Embrace ignorance; it’s how the wisest evolve. Consider adopting a “don’t-knock-it-until-you-try-it” philosophy. [Source: Forbes]

13. Set Realistic Goals

Aiming to jump into the Stratosphere might be overzealous. Set smaller, actionable goals instead and crush them like a Stoic Gladiator. Celebrate those wins, no matter how trivial. Progress isn’t always about massive leaps—sometimes it’s just about taking baby steps more gracefully than a toddler. [Source: MindTools]

14. Practice Empathy

It’s easy to judge a book by its cover; try reading the pages instead. Putting yourself in others' shoes is a tremendous Stoic practice. You’ll develop resilience and have fewer arguments with coworkers over printer paper. [Source: Psychology Today]

15. Keep Humility at the Forefront

Think you’re the cat’s pajamas? Spoiler alert: you’re not. Keep humility alive by remembering that everyone has their battles. Even your boss feels overwhelmed, and your mailman has his own drama. [Source: Psychology Today]

16. Prioritize Effective Communication

The art of talking can be incredibly stoic if done well. Learn to express your thoughts clearly while maintaining a level of cool detachment. Sarcasm helps but always make sure it’s clear you're joking—unless you enjoy awkward silences. [Source: Forbes]

17. Detach from Outcomes

This is where the magic happens. The Stoics mastered the art of detachment, putting in effort without getting snagged in the trap of expectations. Sow your seeds of effort but don’t obsess over the fruits—they’re like bonus points if they come out to play. [Source: Medium]

18. Choose Your Influences Wisely

We live in the age of influencers—filter through them to find quality. Seek wisdom from those with realistic perspectives. “Who’s your Stoic guru?” should be a staple water cooler question, right next to “Have you seen the latest memes?” [Source: Psychology Today]

19. Be Gracious Under Pressure

Ever met someone who thrives under pressure? They’re not an alien. Cultivate bravery and composure by remembering—like any Stoic philosopher—the only thing you control is your reaction. [Source: Forbes]

20. Find Humor in Everything

Life is laughable—literally. Instead of hyperventilating during crises, let the laughter bubble up. Stoicism allows for humor; it’s what lightens the burdens of existence. Even the most tragic situations can give rise to a chuckle once enough time has passed. [Source: HuffPost]