Does Stoicism Have the Answers to Our Problems?
Does Stoicism Have the Answers to Our Problems?
Or is it just philosophical jargon?
AI image created by Author via ChatGPT.
Everyone and their nanny seem to have hopped on the Stoic bandwagon in recent years.
Open any social media and you're bound to come across masculine images of Stoics with their grand words about virtue and character.
It's a little intimidating, let's be honest. And Thor's hammer—"you simply aren't worthy" (if you're a true Marvel fan, you'll get the reference)—comes to mind as you scan through the vastness of this ancient philosophy.
This was my initial impression—that it takes a certain kind of person to become a Stoic. That it was a philosophy reserved for the very few. That it was a masculine concept. I previously shared my thoughts on this in my newsletter here.
But upon further exploration, I realised how limited my view was.
Something drew me to Stoicism. Not the masculine version of hard quotes, impressive imagery, or its popularity.
But something else. Something deeper. Something more transformational.
I discovered that Stoicism is:
An ancient philosophy that holds true in modern times.
Like a practical book you live, not just read.
Not something you preach, but something you shape into your own set of principles.
A way to cut through the cognitive chaos of the modern era.
A values-based philosophy grounded in control, virtue, and reason.
A timeless concept that speaks of character and strength, not just theory.
A practice that still stands today—for a reason.
Stoicism—a word often associated with harsh truths.
The teachings don’t hold back. The words can cut through your excuses in a single blow. It isn’t gentle. It isn’t light. It isn’t about pretty quotes or soft hugs. It isn’t for the faint-hearted or for those who view life as a passive timeline.
Stoicism is a direct, stern, and deep voice in today’s chaotic world filled with superficiality and excess noise.
It won’t please you. It won’t placate your excuses. And it certainly won’t entertain your fears.
Yet it’s profound. It’s remarkable. It’s transformative.
It’s a reminder of who you are beneath your doubts—and who you could become when you step up to this level of play.
It will draw out your inner strength (if you let it), and it will challenge your thinking in ways you haven’t yet imagined.
It will ask more from you—and you’ll be better for it.
I’m both impressed and humbled by this timeless wisdom. Nothing else has spoken to me in quite the same way.
It’s an idea far removed from the world we live in—and yet, one we need now more than ever.
We’ve been sleepwalking our potential for far too long. It’s time to wake up.
Why Stoicism Isn’t Just Jargon
1 We aren’t our problems—the problem is we believe the opposite.
Problems are temporary. They aren't meant to define your character or strength—your ability to push past them does.
We hear words like resilience and grit thrown around in the self-help world, but few truly understand what it takes to build that kind of inner resilience—the kind that can’t be shaken by every external shift.
Stoicism introduces this idea by reminding us of what’s in our control vs what isn’t.
The irony? We often try to control what isn’t ours—other people’s opinions, outcomes, the future. And we ignore what is—our thoughts, choices, and responses.
The result? A constant state of dissatisfaction. We amplify our problems until they become part of our identity.
2 Problems aren’t always what you think they are.
To the Stoics, problems aren’t obstacles. They’re opportunities.
Epictetus didn’t see external events as good or bad—only our interpretation made them so.
Marcus Aurelius reminded himself daily that setbacks were part of the path, not detours from it.
Your problem isn’t the situation—it’s how you’re framing it.
3 The trap of trying to solve the unsolvable.
We burn so much energy trying to control the uncontrollable. We obsess over the past, worry about the future, and argue with reality.
The Stoics saw this as a misuse of energy.
Instead of trying to move the mountain, they’d say: move yourself.
4 What to focus on instead.
See your problems as hindrances, not life sentences.
They’re there to shape your character, not destroy your hope.
Shift your focus to what you can change: your actions, your mindset, your responses.
That’s not just empowering—it’s freeing.
Four Practical Ways to Apply Stoicism to Daily Problems
Pause before reacting. Ask: is this within my control?
Write your thoughts out. Journalling helps expose the irrational fears behind your stress.
Choose principle over preference. Ask: what kind of person do I want to be in this moment?
Reflect nightly. What did I do well today? What can I improve tomorrow? (Marcus Aurelius did this daily.)
In a world where we’re taught to chase, compete, and consume, Stoicism offers something radically different.
Stillness.
Strength
Solitude.
And the reminder that maybe the answers aren’t “out there.” Maybe they’ve always been within reach.
If you’ve felt tired of the noise, perhaps what you need isn’t more motivation—but ancient wisdom that still holds true.
This isn’t about becoming a Stoic.
It’s about remembering who you are—without all the distractions.
Thank you for reading.
If this piece resonated, you might enjoy Naz’s Notes—a weekly letter exploring growth, resilience, and the kind of timeless ideas that still shape how we live.