10 Quick Stoic-influenced Tips for a Better You and a Better Planet

For those interested in Stoicism who strive to be a little bit better...

Stoicism is a 2000-year-old philosophy that was used by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius to solve imperial family squabbles and balance the many tasks involved in running an empire. Here are 10 Stoic-influenced tips you can use right now in the 21^st century to help your take better care of yourself, the people you love and the planet.

Image: Taken from Stoickai.com

Tip 1: Know what’s in your control (and isn’t)

The Stoics held that we can only control our thoughts, actions, and attitude. Everything and everyone else are outside of our control. If we can learn to let go of things like people’s opinions of us, our career progression, and geopolitical events (which are not up to us) we will be better placed to do what we can to improve our circumstances. We will also worry less about those things we cannot change by our choices alone.

Tip 2: Challenge yourself (and the kids) to walk more in nature

The Stoics taught that a happy person is deeply connected with the natural world. Spend some time every week in the woods or at a lake or pond. If you are feeding the ducks with your kids take some seeds as it’s better for them than white bread. Learn some names of the local animals and plants so you point them out together. Your kids will also be encouraged to get active, which is excellent for their health!

Tip 3: Take time to care for yourself

 The Stoics argued that our happiness hinged on our ability to treat ourselves and others fairly. Being fair to yourself and others starts with making time for self-care. It’s not selfish to watch a film, soak in a warm bath or go for a run for your benefit. You can only properly take care of others if you also take care of yourself. Block out at least one hour in a 48-hour period where you do something meaningful. Don’t look for what more you might squeeze into you day but, instead, first look at what needs to be cut!

Tip 4: Strike up more conversations with others

The Stoics taught that we solve our problems by carefully listening to our own responses and the responses of others. One of the best ways to avoid or solve workplace squabbles is to get to know your colleagues better. This will help you approach issues more collaboratively and to better understand what you can do to drive your team forward.

Tip 5: Don’t forget your reusable cup when you go to the café

Single-use cups are wasteful and if they are plastic, they could lie in the ocean for hundreds of years. Many cafés offer discounts when you bring your own cup and if you pick your cup carefully you can talk to your friends about the charity you really care about. The Stoics taught that humans do best when they do things that benefit the community!

Tip 6: Add some native plants to your garden, balcony or even kitchen windowsill

Taking care of the planet doesn’t mean that you must be an activist or be involved in big scale projects. The Stoics taught that doing the right thing isn’t wishful thinking but instead taking practical steps where we are at. Buying (or rescuing) a plant feels like a small thing, but it does wonders for our wellbeing. If the plant is native to the country or region you live in, then it won’t just look nice but will also support bees and other wildlife that visit you. Lastly, don’t see plants as merely something you have to care for but as living beings that help take care of you and the planet. 

Tip 7: Swap shop with friends

The Stoics believed that good friendships were an important part of community building. If you often go clothes shopping with your friends, why not instead set-up the occasional swap shop session where your friends pick an item of clothing to try on from your wardrobe and vice versa. New clothes don’t have to be new to us. Having a swap shop session is fun and wearing one item of our friend’s clothing is a nice way to remember them. It also reduces the environmental impact that buying new clothes creates.

Tip 8: Save Your Plastic milk tops for charity

The Stoics taught that ignorance is never bliss and that we should strive to learn what we can to improve our life and the lives of those around us. Many charities across the UK are asking people to send in their used milk bottle tops (e.g. Friends of Water Search and Rescue Team). These tops are recycled to make hard plastic toys for children, such as slides and other garden toys.  They also go on to make more bottle tops! Find out which of your local charities collects them. Do your bit for charity and the environment by drinking tea and eating cereal!

Tip 9: Read or listen to a book about the environment

Knowledge is power! Get knowledgeable about one particular environmental issue. It can be as global as climate breakdown or local as caring for birds in your garden! The Stoic teachings make it clear that a better life and planet often starts with learning more about the world around you.

Tip 10: Finding tiny joys – express yourself with an emoji 😊

Stoics are often thought to be emotionless and uncaring. However, that is to misunderstand them. The Stoics were often expressive but also ensured that their emotions didn’t run away from them, especially when it came to anger. For a modern twist on their teaching, try brightening up your day, and other people’s, by using smiling and grateful emojis. Stoics didn’t have access to phones but since they advised against indulging in emotion, they’d probably advise against using groaning or angry looking ones, as this will lead you to focus on your stress rather than the solution to your problem!

Putting these ten tips into practice might not change the world but I do believe that they will change your world for the better and, by extension, have  a ripple effect that touches the lives of those around you.

Kai Whiting is a co-author of Being Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Living In. He is a researcher and lecturer in sustainability and Stoicism.