11 Rules to take control of your life (According to the Stoics)

Shehraj Singh
2 min readMar 26, 2022
Statue of Marcus Aurelius on horse

Rule #1: Don’t get upset over things you can’t control.

The Stoics believed that we should only be concerned with things that are within our control.

This means that we should not get upset over things like the weather or other people’s actions.

We should only focus on our own actions and how we can control them.

Rule #2: Act with virtue.

The Stoics believed that we should always act with virtue.

This means doing what is right, even if it is difficult. It also means treating others with respect.

Rule #3: Live in the present.

The Stoics believed that we should live in the present and not worry about the future or dwell on the past.

We should focus on the here and now and make the most of every moment.

Rule #4: Don’t be concerned about things that might occur.

“We suffer more from imagination than from reality.” — Seneca

The Stoics believed that we should not worry about things that might happen.

We should focus on what is happening right now and not let our minds run wild with worry about things that may never happen.

Rule #5: Be prepared for anything.

The Stoics believed that we should always be prepared for anything that might happen.

This means being prepared mentally and emotionally for any situation that might occur.

Rule #6: Don’t try to impress others.

The Stoics believed that we should not worry about what others think of us.

We should focus on our own actions and not try to impress others.

Rule #7: Don’t let your emotions control you.

The Stoics believed that we should not let our emotions control us. We should remain calm and rational in the face of difficult situations.

Rule #8: Don’t take things personally.

The Stoics believed that we should not take things personally. We should not let the actions of others affect us.

Rule #9: Don’t hold grudges.

The Stoics believed that we should not hold grudges. We should forgive others and move on.

Rule #10: Be humble.

The Stoics believed that we should be humble. We should not think of ourselves or boast about our accomplishments.

Rule #11: Seek wisdom.

The Stoics believed that we should seek wisdom. We should strive to learn and grow mentally.

Bonus Rule: Don’t forget to enjoy life.

The Stoics believed that we should not forget to enjoy life. We should live every moment to the fullest and savor the good times.

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What do you think of these Stoic principles? Do you think they can help you live a better life?

Wanna discover more?

I’ll recommend checking out Ryan Holiday, and some famous Stoics’ Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus.

Originally Published as a thread on Twitter

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