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🗿 Embrace Change, Find Peace: The Stoic Guide To Letting Go

Published 5 months ago • 4 min read

November 24, 2023

Hey Reader,

Welcome back to Living Better—your ultimate playbook for a life well-lived. We serve up science-backed wisdom, eye-opening insights, and heartwarming stories that'll inspire you to elevate your game.

Stoicism, a philosophy rooted in ancient Greece, teaches us the art of acceptance and the wisdom of differentiating between what we can control and what we cannot.

In this edition, we'll dive into the Stoic philosophy of letting go, a powerful tool for navigating life's uncertainties and embracing change.


Today's Sneak Peek...


Long-Form Reads

MEET CASSIE, the mom emphasizing the importance of letting go in parenthood.

"There is so much beauty hidden in the mess. One is the byproduct of the other; they coexist. And life is there, in both..."

MEET SUZANNE, the woman sharing the opportunity we hold to control our circumstances.

“Fear controlled me for too long. Everywhere I looked, for most of my life, fear had been waiting. And then something happened..."

MEET JEHAVA, the woman sharing three crucial things mothers need to relinquish.

“I won’t be taking these three things with me anymore. Instead, I will be taking freedom, peace, and boundaries..."

MEET JILLIAN, the special needs parent sharing the power of embracing the unknown.

"We have moments of sadness when fear comes, and then we keep going. We keep moving. We keep brushing off the path in front of us...”

MEET EMMY, the woman sharing must-need tips for taking control and finding happiness.

"Recently, I found myself seriously struggling to feel happy. At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it. I didn’t understand what my problem was..."

MEET HOLLY, the cancer victim who bestowed a powerful 'let it all go' philosophy before passing.

"Bad traffic, cellulite, your hairdresser cutting your hair too short. Let it all go. You won't be thinking of these when it's your turn to go..."


Understanding Acceptance In Stoicism

Stoicism encourages us to embrace change, accept uncertainty, and find strength in our ability to adapt. Acceptance in Stoicism isn't about passive resignation, but active engagement with what life presents. It focuses our energy on letting go of what we cannot change to attain true peace.

➣ Go Deeper: Why Is Acceptance So Powerful?


Quote

"Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and whatever are not our own actions."

- Epictetus


Stoicism And Emotional Health

Stoicism's approach to emotional health entails making the best of situations and understanding our power in shaping our responses. It teaches that emotion stems from our judgments and that by changing our judgments, we can change our emotional responses.

The Stoic philosophers didn't just endure adversity; they welcomed it. Why? Because they perceived the unpredictability, adversity, and obstacles of life to be opportunities in disguise and raw material for growth.

As you go forward, remember Epictetus' wisdom and focus on what you can control. Next time you face a stressful situation, pause and ask yourself:

Is this within my control?

What can this situation teach me?

How can I emerge stronger?

What new doors might this open?

This approach isn't about ignoring difficulty. It's about transforming it into a catalyst for personal development.

➣ Go Deeper: How To Use Stoicism To Support Mental Health


QUIZ: Which statement about letting go best falls in line with Stoicism?

1. We can and should let go of what we cannot control
2. Everything in the universe is within our control
3. Letting go can negatively alter our emotions
4. Releasing control blocks potential wisdom


Beyond LWM: How to Get What You Want By Letting Go [The Backwards Law]

Mark Manson, a self-help author and blogger known for his best-seller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, discusses how to find happiness by letting go.

video preview

The Stoic Perspective: Embracing Challenges

Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, once noted: "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." This powerful thought suggests that obstacles are not just barriers but pathways to progress.

➣ Go Deeper: 10 Stoic Rules From Marcus Aurelius



5 Strategies For Living Like A Stoic

Embracing Stoicism's philosophy of letting go can be transformative. Here are five easy strategies to get you started:

  1. Identify What You Can Control: Start by distinguishing between what's in your control and what's not. Focus your energy on the former.
  2. Practice Mindfulness: Recognize your automatic reactions to situations and practice responding with calmness and rationality.
  3. Reflect Daily: Evaluate how well your actions and reactions align with Stoic virtues like wisdom, courage, and self-discipline.
  4. Embrace Change As Constant: Accept that change is a part of life. This acceptance will make adapting to new situations easier.
  5. Cultivate Emotional Resilience: Work on building your emotional resilience by viewing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth.

➣ Go Deeper: The Only Thing You Need To Get Good At


POLL: What is something you would benefit most from letting go of?

1. Mistakes
2. Grudges
3. Control
4. Expectations
5. Perfectionism


Community Spotlight

Dive into the heartwarming stories and inspiring journeys of fellow Living Better community members!

Each week, we'll highlight your very own experiences, challenges, and triumphs to showcase hope, kindness, and overcoming adversity.

This week, we're highlighting Jessica's moment of joy:

"My son, Bodhi, is nonverbal autistic. I didn't know if I would ever hear him say the words 'I love you,' but it happened while I was taking ​this video​.
He talked more in this one minute than I'd ever heard him talk in the past 5 and a half years.
Bodhi is an amazing child who appreciates the small things in life. He stops to smell the roses, listens to every tune and smiles at every detail.
More people should be like Bodhi."
- Jessica, Living Better subscriber

Until next time, live well.

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© 2023 Love What Matters

Living Better

By Love What Matters

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