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3 Stoic Principles For Tough Weeks
Betwixt Chaos
October 21, 2023
The 3 Stoic Principles for Tough Weeks
Everyone has to go through tough weeks in their lives.
But how do people thrive in them consistently? I recently had a rough week myself, and realized that everyone turns to something through those times. Stoicism was exactly that outlet for me.
This newsletter will be a longer special edition that provides 3 quotes based on the 3 principles. So let’s get started: What are the 3 principles?
🍀 Principle #1 - Fate 🍀
“That every event is the right one. Look closely and you’ll see.
Not just the right one overall, but right. As if someone had weighted it out with scales.”
In the long run, tough weeks turn out good for us. We gain mental strength and grow our character. Fate defined by the Stoics outline that although the event may not be great now, after some time, you’ll realize how they benefit us in our futures.
The next time you have a tough week, be patient. The benefits will reap after a certain amount of time.
🙏 Principle #2 - Gratitude 🙏
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
Just because our days and weeks are long and difficult, doesn’t mean we should refrain being grateful for where we are. One Stoic practice that helps you gain that gratitude for your situation is by looking at circumstances worse than what you are in currently.
The next time you find yourself in a difficult situation, see how it could’ve been worse; this comparison allows you to appreciate that your situation isn’t as bad as you may think.
🏅 Principle #3 - Discipline 🏅
“Don’t try to picture everything bad that could possibly happen. Stick with the situation at hand and ask, ‘Why is this so unbearable? Why can’t I endure it?’ You’ll be embarrassed to answer.”
Although this may seem opposite of principle 2, I will explain the difference shortly.
In rough times, there’s no need to overthink. What happens, happens, and if it happens, deal with it only when it does. You will gain more straight-forward answers, know how to deal with the problem that arose, and most importantly, you’ll waste less time on imaginary scenarios that may not even occur.
The next time you are in the moment of a tough situation, do exactly as the quote says: ask yourself, ‘Why can’t I endure this?’ You’ll find that you won’t be able to answer and as a result, gain confidence and mental strength.
The Difference: Principle #2 vs. Principle #3
In principle #2, you’re allowed to think of bad situations simply because you’re comparing your current situation to the imaginary situation; this does not mean, however, that you’re thinking it may happen. In principle #3, sticking with the situation at hand is necessary for discipline because in that scenario, you are overthinking on situations that you may believe will happen.
Think of other situations only when you’re using it for gratitude, and not for overthinking the future.
These 3 principles provide a solid foundation for any week, difficult or not. Implement these principles slowly throughout your days, and notice the big and beneficial difference it creates in your life.
Cheers,
Betwixt
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“The 3 Stoic Principles for Tough Weeks”
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