You’re not in control of your emotions. A Roman Emperor spent his...
Taylin John Simmonds@TaylinSimmonds
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Apr 16, 2025
~3 min read
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You’re not in control of your emotions.
A Roman Emperor spent his life proving it.
He uncovered a flaw in human thinking that keeps people weak, anxious, and reactive.
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And it will change how you handle every challenge in life:
A Roman Emperor spent his life proving it.
He uncovered a flaw in human thinking that keeps people weak, anxious, and reactive.
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And it will change how you handle every challenge in life:
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“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens for you.
Every mistake, setback, and failure sculpts your character.
Viewing life this way builds resilience.
“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens for you.
Every mistake, setback, and failure sculpts your character.
Viewing life this way builds resilience.
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Stoicism is 2,000 years old, yet more relevant than ever.
Stoics don’t ask:
"Why is this happening to me?"
They ask:
"How is this making me stronger?"
Same situation.
Different mindset.
Ignore this principle and watch as life's inevitable challenges crush your spirit.
Stoics don’t ask:
"Why is this happening to me?"
They ask:
"How is this making me stronger?"
Same situation.
Different mindset.
Ignore this principle and watch as life's inevitable challenges crush your spirit.
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“The problem is not what happens to us, but how we react to it." - Massimo Pigliucci
Most people aren't thinking for themselves.
They hand control of their emotions to the outside world.
Stoics start with taking that control back with this mindset:
“The problem is not what happens to us, but how we react to it." - Massimo Pigliucci
Most people aren't thinking for themselves.
They hand control of their emotions to the outside world.
Stoics start with taking that control back with this mindset:
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You can’t control:
- People
- Events
- The past
You can control:
- How you respond
- What you focus on
- How you choose to perceive life
Fail to grasp this and you'll forever wonder why peace and happiness constantly slip through your desperate fingers.
- People
- Events
- The past
You can control:
- How you respond
- What you focus on
- How you choose to perceive life
Fail to grasp this and you'll forever wonder why peace and happiness constantly slip through your desperate fingers.
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"We suffer more in imagination than in reality." — Massimo Pigliucci
Anxiety is your mind playing horror movies on repeat.
It convinces you of:
- Worst-case scenarios
- Fears that don’t exist
- Problems that aren’t real
And the worst part?
"We suffer more in imagination than in reality." — Massimo Pigliucci
Anxiety is your mind playing horror movies on repeat.
It convinces you of:
- Worst-case scenarios
- Fears that don’t exist
- Problems that aren’t real
And the worst part?
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You believe the fear is real when it's often an illusion.
Before you spiral, ask yourself:
- Do I have control over this?
- Is this happening now, or am I imagining it?
- What’s the worst that can realistically happen?
Never let fictional fears create real failures.
Before you spiral, ask yourself:
- Do I have control over this?
- Is this happening now, or am I imagining it?
- What’s the worst that can realistically happen?
Never let fictional fears create real failures.
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"A wise person is someone who has seen the world as it is, not as they wish it to be." Massimo Pigliucci
Most people suffer because of their expectations:
- Life should be fair
- People should be kind
- Hard work should always be rewarded
The truth?
"A wise person is someone who has seen the world as it is, not as they wish it to be." Massimo Pigliucci
Most people suffer because of their expectations:
- Life should be fair
- People should be kind
- Hard work should always be rewarded
The truth?
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Reality doesn’t care about your expectations.
Instead of saying:
"This isn’t fair."
Say:
"This is reality. What can I do about it?"
The sooner you accept reality, the sooner you achieve success.
Instead of saying:
"This isn’t fair."
Say:
"This is reality. What can I do about it?"
The sooner you accept reality, the sooner you achieve success.
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"The true measure of a person is how they respond to adversity." - Marcus Aurelius
Tough times reveal your true character.
When life tests you, will you break? Or will you adapt, endure, and rise?
Stoicism is about training your mind so nothing controls you.
"The true measure of a person is how they respond to adversity." - Marcus Aurelius
Tough times reveal your true character.
When life tests you, will you break? Or will you adapt, endure, and rise?
Stoicism is about training your mind so nothing controls you.
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Next time you're feeling triggered, try this framework:
1. Pause: Don’t react emotionally.
2. Observe: See the situation as it is.
3. Decide: Choose the best action, not the easiest one.
Resilience is a choice. Make it.
Anti-fragile is a skill. Learn it.
1. Pause: Don’t react emotionally.
2. Observe: See the situation as it is.
3. Decide: Choose the best action, not the easiest one.
Resilience is a choice. Make it.
Anti-fragile is a skill. Learn it.
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Final thought:
"Do not tie your self-worth to external achievements." - Massimo Pigliucci
Money, status, and fame are unstable (and ever-changing).
If you rely on them for happiness, you will always be chasing.
"Do not tie your self-worth to external achievements." - Massimo Pigliucci
Money, status, and fame are unstable (and ever-changing).
If you rely on them for happiness, you will always be chasing.
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A little about me...
2 years ago I left my college teaching job to pursue writing full-time.
Now I write content for founders and coaches (the perfect business model for an idea-loving introvert like myself).
Follow me @TaylinSimmonds for more life philosophies like this.
2 years ago I left my college teaching job to pursue writing full-time.
Now I write content for founders and coaches (the perfect business model for an idea-loving introvert like myself).
Follow me @TaylinSimmonds for more life philosophies like this.