It is what it is is one of those proverbial phrases that can either instil calm or provoke a sense of frustration with the circumstance in front of us. For Marcus Aurelius, it would stimulate the former, or as he puts it, “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.”  

As Ryan Holiday, author of The Daily Stoic, translates Aurelius’ ancient words for today’s audience, “We cannot control the outside world, but we can control how we respond to it.” It’s no surprise that Stoicism is making a comeback when the world feels more fragmented and out of our control. 

Stoicism, a philosophy born over 2,000 years ago, is more relevant than ever.

Why Now? 

Modern Stoicism entered the cultural mainstream during the pandemic. In the first half of 2020, print sales of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius surged by 28%, while Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic saw a 42% increase. But even before this, interest in Stoicism was steadily rising. Ryan Holiday’s Stillness is the Key topped the New York Times bestseller list in 2019, while The Daily Stoic has now sold over a million copies worldwide, translated into 40 languages. With an Instagram following exceeding 3 million, Holiday has successfully reintroduced Stoic philosophy to a new generation seeking wisdom in an unpredictable world.

Why does Stoicism resonate so widely today? Holiday, with his background in PR, had an instinct for its growing appeal. In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, he reflected: “I think you could argue that we stand alone in the universe again. A lot of old ideas or explanations that people drew structure and comfort from have fallen away. How should a person live? What is the code by which you’re supposed to be a good person? I think the ancient traditions are some of the best answers that man has come up with.”

This search for structure and inner resilience has led many high-profile figures to embrace Stoic philosophy. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton reportedly reads Meditations annually. Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, a known proponent of mindfulness and self-discipline, has drawn from Stoic principles to guide his leadership in Silicon Valley. Venture capitalist Brad Feld, a key figure in the tech world, is another advocate, seeing Stoicism as a practical tool for navigating both professional and personal challenges. The philosophy’s focus on control, resilience, and virtue resonates particularly in industries driven by uncertainty and rapid change.

What Is Stoicism?

As Rome began to suffer war, conflict, and famine, the statesman and playwright, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, penned letters and advised four Roman Emperors in navigating the empire’s turmoil. He popularised phrases like “non scholae sed vitae discimus” (we do not learn for school but for life). Though Seneca would use Stoic thought to guide social and ethical considerations, the empire’s soon-to-be leader, Marcus Aurelius, would use Stoic judgement to write Meditations like a daily journal, to guide himself on inner strength, self-worth, and personal dignity. Aurelius’ grim reminder, “memento mori” (remember you will die), urges us to cherish the present. Though the audience of today’s modern philosophy don’t hold the weight of the Roman Empire on their shoulders, its foundations carry timeless advice. 

It is a philosophy centred on the idea of cultivating inner calm in the face of external chaos. And how is this cultivated? Virtues. According to Stoic principles, virtue is the only thing truly within our control: Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Temperance.

What Are The Misconceptions of Stoicism?

Suppressing your emotions – To be Stoic is often mistaken for emotional suppression, but it teaches control, not denial. Through mindfulness, it encourages understanding emotions rather than ignoring them. As Seneca notes: “Who does not admit that all the emotions flow as it were from a certain natural source?” Recognising emotions helps determine if they arise from reason or fleeting impulses.

Keeping calm and carrying on – Many believe Stoicism means passively enduring hardships, but it’s about focusing on what we can control. As Epictetus states in Enchiridion, “Don’t hope that events will turn out the way you want, welcome events in whichever way they happen: this is the path to peace.” It promotes active engagement, directing energy where it matters most.

It’s a masculine ideal – Though we can only trace its origins to male thinkers and writers, with ancient history’s biases and limited voices of women, these principles apply to every experience. Seneca notes in On Clemency, “No school has more goodness and gentleness; none has more love for human beings, nor more attention to the common good. The goal which it assigns to us is to be useful, to help others, and to take care, not only of ourselves but of everyone in general and of each one in particular.”

How Can You Start to Become a Daily Stoic?

Adopting Stoic practices doesn’t require a radical overhaul of your life or a retreat to a Greek island, thanks to its reflective roots, it’s highly practical:

1. Daily reflection – Take a few moments at the start or end of each day to reflect on your actions, decisions, and thoughts. This practice, inspired by Marcus Aurelius’ “Meditations”, helps you stay aware of your emotions and actions.
2. Focus on what you can control – Before reacting to a challenge or setback, pause and ask yourself whether this is something within your control. If it isn’t, let it go. If it is, determine what actions you can take.
3. Practice gratitude – It’s a tired concept but Stoics believe in focusing on the positives, no matter how small. Cultivating gratitude can help shift your mindset from focusing on what’s lacking to appreciating what you have.
4. Embrace discomfort – The Stoics regularly practised voluntary discomfort, such as fasting or cold exposure, to build mental toughness and resilience. By stepping out of your comfort zone in small, controlled ways, you can strengthen your ability to face larger challenges.

Further Reading

• We can’t control what disasters a new year may bring. Stoicism can help us get up and try again – Guardian
• The Revival Of Stoicism – VICE
• Are Stoicism and Buddhism unhealthy philosophies? – The Big Think
• Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it? – Psyche