The Stoics were the original masters of the 'low-fi' life, focusing only on what they could control and ignoring the rest. Today, we are bombarded with infinite streams of information that we have no power to influence. Applying Marcus Aurelius's logic to our social media feeds is the spiritual equivalent of installing a powerful firewall.
The Internal Citadel in Neon
Aurelius spoke of the 'inner citadel,' a place of absolute calm that cannot be breached by external events. Imagine this citadel as a glowing, neon-protected fortress in the middle of a chaotic digital city. No matter how many notifications ping or how loud the world gets, the core of your being remains untouched and serene.
Mastering Your Reaction Time
In the fast-paced world of the eighties, split-second decisions were the hallmark of every action hero. Stoicism teaches us that the most important decision is how we choose to react to a problem. By widening the gap between a stimulus and our response, we regain our power over the environment.
Before you respond to a frustrating comment or email today, take three deep breaths. Ask yourself if this will matter in five years. This simple Stoic filter will save you an incredible amount of wasted emotional energy.