We have created two Stoic toolkits:
How to use the Stoic Courage Toolkit.
Our Stoic Courage Toolkit consists of a collection of quotations from ancient and modern Stoics which define courage within the context of Stoicism.
- Read a quotation every morning and try to memorise it
- Copy out the quotations into a journal or commonplace book and carry them with you to refer to throughout the day when you need courage
- Share with other Stoics and with friends and family and start a courageous conversation
- Choose a quotation that inspires you, write a person response, and submit to our blog here
Upon all occasions we ought to have these maxims ready at hand.
epictetus
Stoic Mindset Toolkit
Do you want to thrive? Are you starting or continuing your path to a flourishing life? Consider packing our Stoic Mindset Toolkit.
Are you a mindset coach, a transformation life coach? Do you help people thrive in relationships, careers, and as parents? Guide your clients to well-being with our Stoic Mindset Toolkit. Use these ancient techniques to inspire positive change.
Read a Book on Stoicism
Study ancient wisdom for life advice.
Learn from the best how this ancient life philosophy can help you become resilient and happy. Start with an ancient work such as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius or Seneca’s Letters on Ethics. Or pick up a modern book on Stoicism, like Sharon Lebell’s The Art of Living or Donald Robertson’s How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. If you’re a parent, start with Brittany Polat’s Tranquility Parenting.
You’ll learn life-changing habits that will help you meet all those challenges you face every day.
Journal Mindfully
Examine yourself to live well.
Journaling is a tool to help you reach your ideals and break free of unhelpful thought patterns. When done skillfully, it can be your best friend. But did you know some journaling techniques are better than others? Make sure your journaling practice follows these guidelines:
Find a positive goal to work toward. Bring out your inner glow by striving for inner excellence. Wisdom, courage, kindness, and self-control are just a few goals Stoicism can help you reach!
Be consistent. Choose a designated time and place to journal each day. This is a great way to notice patterns over time, which can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Be compassionate. This is not a place for harsh, negative self-criticism! Be patient with yourself as you learn new habits of thinking. Rewiring your brain is hard work.
To develop your Stoic journaling practice even more, attend the special journaling event at the Practical Paths to Flourishing conference or sign-up at The Stoic Salon.
Be Grateful
Say thanks every day to thrive.
Gratitude is one of the quickest routes to tranquility. Don’t spend your life wishing for things you can’t have! Instead, be satisfied with what you do have. Try this mental exercise from modern Stoic William Irvine:
Choose something that makes your life better but that you tend to take for granted. Picture in your mind all the ways you interact with that object each day.
Now imagine if that object suddenly disappeared from your life forever. What would your life be like?
Given how important that person, place, or thing is in your life, do you think you should appreciate it a little more? Be sure to say a mental thank you the next time you interact with it–and every time after that!
Practice Hardship
Detach from luxury to build resilience.
A little bit of voluntary hardship not only helps you appreciate what you have–it also toughens you up and prepares you for anything that comes your way. Don’t let your happiness become dependent on luxuries (and yes, a hot shower is a luxury!). By reminding yourself that you can survive without them, you change your mindset and reduce worry and anxiety.
Find a Mentor
Seek out thriving individuals as life models.
An ancient secret to success is finding good role models. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote about his mentors with gratitude in his private journal. After all, even an emperor needs inspiration sometimes! Look around you carefully and see if you can find someone kind, helpful, or wise in some way. Try to emulate their attitude or actions. Remember, no one is perfect, and your mentor doesn’t have to be perfect either. Find inspiration in their good traits and see if you can apply those characteristics in your own life.
Attend a Stoic Meeting
Connect with other Stoics for community.
Connecting with other Stoics can help keep you inspired and moving forward as you learn more about this life-changing philosophy. The Stoic community is vibrant and thriving all around the world!
For online event offerings, check out Modern Stoicism and the Aurelius Foundation.
If you’d like to attend a local philosophy meetup, find your nearest group at Stoic Fellowship. (Many local groups are also online these days.)
You can also connect with Stoics on social platforms such as Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and many others.
Care for Your Community
Take care of yourself while caring for others.
Stoics believe that we all belong to one universal community. Practise compassionate self-care and find ways to help others and the environment through the purposeful work you do or through volunteering. Stoicare.com is a good place to start.
Time is Limited
No time to waste: Live well right now!
The ancient Stoic writer Seneca said, “It’s not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste much of it.”
Are you making good use of your time?
Let’s get started on your path to flourishing! First, identify one goal or activity from this toolkit you can accomplish this week. Commit yourself to your goal with strength and compassion. Then write it down on your calendar and set up notifications or reminders for yourself. After you reach your goal, take a moment to thank yourself for your commitment. Choose one more goal for the next week. You are on your way to a new mindset!
Paths to Flourishing 