Stoicism as a Path to Mental Health #mentalhealth #stoicism #anxiety

In my journey into self-reflection, I came across stoicism as a philosophy emphasizing reason, self-control, and acceptance.  When I began, I wasn't sure what it would offer me, but several benefits made it worthwhile looking into. I am an introvert, so I draw my strength from being alone. When I am around large groups of people, I do well for about an hour and a half and then have to go home to recharge.  However, if I'm on full charge, I can light up like flare, and this does not sit well with people who are lower energy. My goal is to walk the minefields of humanity in peace and to know myself well enough to do so with confidence. 

​I also suffer with anxiety. Especially when meeting new people.  I have been known to say the wrong thing, talk too loudly, or just embarrass myself trying to fill gaps in conversation. I've always been this way and have never been happy with it, and now I've the time to actively take control. Last year was my year of fear. I did things I've never done and noticed that as I did them, my fear diminished. I am discovering that anxiety is much the same.

Because I've spent most of my life staying away from large groups and this is my year of growth, I needed to learn a few things to make my introduction into group activities beneficial. I combined exercise and large groups which suits me well.  I still have to go home to recharge though. I also needed a path to conversation and how to deal with people. I find the human race fascinating and misunderstandable.  I love listening to people's stories. We are all very different, yet so much the same and everyone has a marvelous story to share. 

Stoicism caught my eye because I thought it might be a path to handle large groups better and alleviate some of my shyness and anxiety. The best quote I have heard is if you wish to become truly stoic you must accept being thought foolish at times.  We all are foolish at times. We all do foolish things. If I can accept it in others, surely, I can accept it in me. 
Stoicism has taught me too many things to count but I thought I'd share a few here because it has been so useful in my mental health.  As I told a new friend, my goal in these last years of my life, is to leave nothing unsaid. If I love you, I will tell you. If I am angry you will know. Though I will have to go home and take a nap afterward. 

1. Emotional Resilience: Stoicism is teaching me to focus on what I can control and accept what I cannot. This reduces stress, anxiety, and frustration. I have noticed a difference in my anxiety levels. That alone is worthwhile. When something happens that upsets me, I speak about it, try to resolve it, and if I can't, lay low until I process it. 
2. Improved Decision-Making: By cultivating rational thinking and detaching from emotional impulses, I have learned to pause before making a decision. This is a self-taught pause, a time to reflect before moving forward. This helps me to see the entire situation and makes the decisions I make true to myself.  
3. Inner Peace: Stoicism like mindfulness, encourages contentment with the present moment and discourages excessive attachment to external outcomes, leading to greater peace of mind. I have never been one to have attachment to external things, but I do attach to external outcomes. Which is rather silly when you think about it. You can't control anything but yourself. 
4. Strength in Adversity: The philosophy provides tools to face challenges with courage and dignity, viewing hardships as opportunities for growth. When I run up against a problem, I factually tell myself it is an opportunity for growth and move in that direction. It is always good to remember that it is my growth I'm focusing on, not the other persons. 
5. Stronger Relationships: Practicing empathy, kindness, and understanding—key Stoic virtues—can improve interpersonal relationships. Yet, it is good to remember that not all people care about growth, thoughts, and feelings. But again, it is my growth I'm centered on, not theirs. 
6. Clarity of Purpose: Stoicism promotes aligning your actions with your values and living a life of purpose and integrity. What a wonderful thing to learn. Before I take action, I line up my values and make sure I don't compromise them. I try to make sure that what I do has purpose and it doesn't have to be a big purpose, it could be small, like paying for someone's purchase and asking the clerk not to tell them.  Anything that gives me purpose is welcome.

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​The school of stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium around 300 BC in Athens. He opposed the popular school of epicurism, founded by Epicurus, who believed in a materialistic world and an accidental nature, driven by pain and pleasure. Zeno developed his school of stoicism from (amongst others) the ideas of Cynicism, which prioritize virtue and simplicity. He started his teaching in the Stoa Poikile (the Painted Porch) in the center of Athens. This stoa was a covered colonnade, publicly accessible, and caused the name of his philosophy: stoicism. Zeno lay the foundation of stoicism and had an enormous influence in the school. He maintained a distinction of stoic philosophy in three areas: logic, physics and ethics. Today, most emphasis is on ethics, even though Zeno would argue that ethics must always be supported by physics and logic.