Stoicism - PART 1 Introduction

The Stoic philosophy proposes that we, to an extent, ignore the part of the world that is out of our control. It suggests that we shall not respond emotionally to situations in which we are placed purely because the universe has decided to be cruel to us, and to instead accept this reality as part of a universal plan intended for our well-being. 

It points out that a Stoic should not be emotionless, but should care only about what is under his control. Throughout the start of my adulthood I have unconsciously attempted to follow a similar life philosophy, though I have struggled with comprehending the difference between controlling and burying my emotions. Ignoring our emotions will eventually catch up to us, some of us will use coping mechanisms like addiction or escapism practices to assist with avoiding certain thoughts.

These coping mechanisms can vary from person to person, and are harder to get rid of the longer you continue with them. Logically, this isn't sustainable if we ever want to be free. Knowing that your decisions and resources are completely yours, only then are you experiencing liberty. Living in addiction is living in a prison.

As you begin this journey to free yourself, you will at the same time be presented with the emotions you once buried and decided to never confront, this is where one's character will begin to be tested. Will you succumb to your previous way of life? Or will you be resilient enough to overcome the demons that will escape the dark prison that you created within yourself?

Indifference can make you undefeatable. It can also turn into apathy, and it will destroy you from the inside out. Not only will it affect you, but everyone around you who values you and expects to be valued by you, because at some point you will not only be indifferent towards negative attacks, but towards acts of love. You will try and fail to feel something for those who cherish you, but at the end of the day they will be placed in the back of the line, behind those demons that you never felt like dealing with.

It is then, when you will realize that you have no choice but to confront what you have been running from, this perhaps will mean that you will need some time to fight, and you will need even more time to heal. Give yourself the time you need to cool down, it won't be easy. It is always good to know that you still have support from the people around you, but this fight will mostly be fought alone. Focus and fight aggressively against whatever is keeping you from being free, because at the end of the day, no one else will be able to confront them but you. 

Hopefully you are able to beat these challenges and we can continue our journey for self-improvement which will include many more difficult tasks. Don't feel discouraged, the sooner you overcome this the better but you must be patient.