The hottest Stoicism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

A well-lived life means wasting some time

Wondering Freely • 1468 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Mindfulness Stoicism Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to waste some time in life. Taking things slow can actually help you enjoy life more than just rushing through every moment.
  2. Living life to the fullest doesn't mean doing everything on a checklist. Sometimes, just relaxing and being yourself is more fulfilling.
  3. Feeling guilty for not being constantly productive is normal, but learning to rest and take breaks is important for your happiness.

Finding Stoicism

Polymathic Being • 75 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Ethics Emotions Agency Mindfulness
  1. Stoicism is about understanding and managing emotions, not suppressing them. It's important to feel and appreciate our emotions rather than act like they don't matter.
  2. Many people struggle with anxiety because they lack challenges in life, feel pressured to blame others, and often ignore their own ability to take control. Stoicism helps address these issues by teaching personal responsibility.
  3. To practice Stoicism, focus on yourself, take ownership of your actions, and avoid getting distracted by others' problems. By doing this, you can find balance and improve your mental well-being.

Success without comparison or expectations

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Self-Improvement Emotional Health
  1. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has their own unique value, and feeling inferior or superior only harms your well-being.
  2. Focus on what you can control and contribute without needing validation from others. Your worth is not tied to how others react to you.
  3. Freedom comes from understanding that societal expectations are just illusions. Embrace who you are and live your life, unbothered by others' judgments.
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Mastering Irreverence

Polymathic Being • 85 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Existentialism Ethics Aesthetics Cultural critique
  1. Irreverence helps us see the truth behind societal norms and values. By questioning these, we can break free from the distractions that keep us from what truly matters.
  2. Reverence allows us to appreciate the beauty and wonder in life. Feeling awe for nature or art can elevate our mood and give us a sense of connection to something greater.
  3. Balancing irreverence and reverence is essential for clear thinking and meaningful living. We need both to challenge old ideas while also grounding ourselves in what gives life depth and value.

Virtue is in between vices

Austin Kleon • 3656 implied HN points • 16 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Virtue Stoicism Aristotle
  1. Virtue exists in the middle of two extremes, which are known as vices. This means finding a balance between too little and too much of a certain quality.
  2. This idea, known as the Doctrine of the Mean, suggests that we need to navigate between deficiency and excess to discover virtue.
  3. Many thinkers, like Aristotle and Confucius, have discussed this concept, showing that it has been an important part of ethical discussions through history.

Marcus Aurelius VS Diogenes

Classical Wisdom • 1788 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Cynicism Comparison Lifestyle Happiness
  1. Stoicism and Cynicism share the goal of achieving happiness through living in accordance with nature, but differ in how they view societal expectations and material possessions.
  2. Stoics like Marcus Aurelius valued harmonious living with others and some luxuries, while Cynics like Diogenes prioritized individual freedom and rejected wealth and excess.
  3. The Stoics refined Cynic philosophy into a more widely accepted practice, promoting virtue and wisdom as essential for a fulfilling life.

Dealing with insults, the Stoic way

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 884 implied HN points • 05 May 23
📖 Philosophy Ethics Stoicism Social justice Self-Control Humanity
  1. Stoics advise ignoring insults to maintain emotional calm and focus on facts rather than opinions.
  2. Debates in Stoic circles about insults involve balancing personal response with addressing social injustices.
  3. Important to distinguish between advising Stoics and non-Stoics, as well as between personal behavior and social action in Stoicism.

Five questions that will change your life

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 805 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Stoicism Hedonism Virtue ethics
  1. Death is a universal human preoccupation, but certain arguments and perspectives can help alleviate the fear of death.
  2. Handling pain and grief requires acknowledging and accepting the inevitability of suffering and loss, while finding ways to endure and grow from these experiences.
  3. Emotions can be challenged or encouraged based on their alignment with reason, and developing emotional resilience involves cognitive evaluation and management.

Duff Love

Ladyparts • 399 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Chronic Pain Self-care Gratitude Stoicism
  1. Karen Duffy finds strength, comfort, gratitude, and love in the wisdom of the Stoics despite battling chronic pain
  2. Karen Duffy, also known as 'Duff', is described as one of the strongest, most resilient, and funny women by the author
  3. For those who grew up in the MTV era, Karen Duffy was considered the cool, it girl and a muse

Is Gladiator Stoic?

Caleb’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Justice Afterlife Heroism
  1. The movie Gladiator raises the question of whether it embodies Stoic principles.
  2. Maximus's pursuit of revenge in Gladiator is seen as being non-Stoic due to his intense passion and anger.
  3. The character of Maximus in Gladiator eventually evolves to embody more Stoic values, moving from a place of rage to fulfilling his duty.

What I've Been Reading | June 2023

Caleb’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue ethics
  1. The book 'Learning to Live Naturally' by Chris Gill explores Stoic philosophy and the importance of virtue ethics.
  2. Confucius's 'Analects' is a profound work that provides valuable insights into life and human behavior.
  3. Both Stoicism and Confucianism emphasize the importance of moral virtue and living in harmony with nature.

It's Always Now

Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble • 16 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth Mindfulness Stoicism Self-reflection Emotional Wellbeing
  1. Being present is important to enjoy life fully. Focusing on the now helps reduce stress from the past and future.
  2. Challenges can change our life paths in positive ways. What seems like an obstacle can become a valuable learning experience.
  3. Exploring different experiences and philosophies can help us understand ourselves better. It's okay to try new things to see what truly resonates with you.

Charting Your Course: The Journey of Self-Discovery

Wayne's Earth • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Self-discovery Stoicism Personal Growth Philosophy
  1. Embrace Seneca's philosophy: 'Find a path or make one.' This is a call to action to take charge of your journey, either by discovering existing paths or creating new ones.
  2. Explore existing paths before deciding. Just like reading reviews before trying a new restaurant, knowing what's out there can help you make informed choices.
  3. Equip yourself with the right tools for your journey. Whether gaining skills, seeking knowledge, or finding mentors, preparation is key to navigating life's challenges.

Navigating Narratives: A Stoic's Guide to Postmodernism

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Postmodernism Stoicism Narratives Power Dynamics Control
  1. Postmodernism questions the big stories about the world, suggesting they might not be as objective as we think.
  2. Many narratives revolve around power dynamics, often portraying someone as the hero and another as the villain.
  3. Stoicism encourages focusing on what we can control, reflecting on empowering narratives, and seeking diverse stories for personal growth.

Steps of Stoicism: Embracing the Journey

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Stoicism
  1. Start small: Break down big goals into manageable pieces, like eating a pizza one slice at a time.
  2. Embrace discomfort: Push boundaries by taking small uncomfortable steps that lead to growth and resilience.
  3. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate every small step taken towards a goal - it strengthens commitment and progress.

Navigating Life's Game: A Stoic's Guide to Finding Meaning

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Virtue Connection
  1. Virtue is key to finding meaning in life - be the hero who does the right thing, even when it's hard, using qualities like honesty, bravery, and self-control.
  2. Focus on controlling your actions and attitude, rather than worrying about things beyond your control - it's like adjusting your sails while sailing a boat.
  3. Roll with life's challenges, learn from them, and continue forward calmly - like enjoying a cup of tea in the middle of a storm.

Action and Optimism: The Dual Forces of 'Do and Hope

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Stoicism Mindset Personal Development
  1. Taking action ('Do') involves focusing on what you can control and actively working on it.
  2. Keeping hope ('Hope') means trusting in your efforts and staying positive about the outcome, even if it may be different than expected.
  3. Blending 'Do and Hope' allows for actively working towards improvement while maintaining a positive outlook, shaping experiences with grace and resilience.