How to Use Stoic Philosophy When Your Life Feels Like a Meme

Ancient Life Hacks for Modern Meltdowns

Image made by me on Midjourney

Look, I’m not here to tell you to become a toga-wearing Greek statue (although, side note, those guys really did nail the chill face). But have you ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong and you’re like, “This is it. Here starts my villain origin story.”?

Welcome to Life: Meme Edition.

What Even Is Stoic Philosophy?

Okay, before you run away: Stoicism is basically the ancient version of “it is what it is” (a phrase that I tend to use a LOT recently). These dudes—Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus (don’t worry, no one knows how to say it either)—were all about accepting what you can’t control (universal truths btw), doing your best with what you can, and NOT freaking out when things go sideways (or at least to try!).

1. When Your Phone Signal is Gone in the Middle of a Call

Marcus Aurelius would literally say, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
Translation? Your phone signal sucks, but your inner peace is still on full bars. Sigh dramatically, make a meme about it, then move on. Rome wasn’t built in a day—and clearly neither was your mobile network.

2. That Awkward Message to the Wrong Group Chat

You meant to DM “ugh I can’t stand these boring meetings” to your work bestie, but it ended up in Slack’s general channel. Nice 😂
Epictetus would say, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
So… just laugh. Then pretend you were hacked (or delete this message fast!). Then maybe log off and go touch grass.

3. When Your Plans Go Full Dumpster Fire

You had ideas. You had a plan. You had arrangements. And now… plot twist.
Seneca was out here saying, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”
Meaning: Half the pain is in your head. The rest is just life being a clown show (ain’t it always?).

Stoic Survival Kit for Meme Life

• The “Can I Control This?” Game:
  Traffic, weather, other people’s opinions or decisions? Nope. Not your monkeys, not your circus.

• Be the Chill Meme:
  That dog in the burning room: “This is fine.” Sometimes that’s the most Stoic you can be.

From KC Green's web comic strip "On Fire"

• Journal It (Or Just Complain to Your Rabbit):
  Marcus Aurelius basically journaled his way to emperor status. You can too. Or, like me, vent to Fluffy (the rabbit) and hope he’s listening.

Real Talk

Stoicism isn’t about not caring—it’s about caring less about the stuff that doesn’t matter, and more about your own peace of mind. So the next time your life turns into a meme, channel your inner ancient philosopher. Or just fake it till you make it.

Meme on, my friend. Toga optional.

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