No one else can do it for you.
To be happy, you’re going to have to put in the work. In A Guide to the Good Life, William B. Irvine’s advice is to adopt a Stoic approach to daily living. Irvine says that the ancient Stoic philosophy is the best way to combat the challenges of modern living.
The Stoics believed that the key to happiness is maintaining a sense of calm and order in your life at all times. That means turning away from negative emotions like anger and humiliation, which are usually sparked by other people. To take responsibility for your own emotional well being, you must try to minimize others’ impact on your psychological state.
One trick the Stoics used was to keep their own counsel. They tended to ignore other people’s opinions, and prioritize their own self-worth instead. This helped insulate them from the hurtful comments and thoughtless actions of their peers.
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