how to become more moderate in stoicism

Yulia Chive

3 min read

·

07-12-2024

6

0

Share

Finding the Middle Way: Cultivating Moderation in Your Stoic Practice

Stoicism, with its emphasis on virtue and living in accordance with nature, often gets portrayed as a stark and austere philosophy. Images of emotionless sages enduring hardship spring to mind. However, true Stoicism isn't about suppressing emotions or embracing ascetic extremes; it's about finding a moderate path, a balance between extremes of indulgence and self-denial. This article explores how to cultivate moderation within your Stoic practice.

Understanding the Stoic View of Moderation

Moderation (or sophrosyne in Greek) isn't about deprivation. It's about aligning your actions with virtue. Stoics don't advocate for a life devoid of pleasure; rather, they emphasize choosing pleasures wisely and avoiding excesses that lead to suffering. This involves:

• Identifying your values: What truly matters to you? Understanding your core values helps prioritize activities and avoid distractions that pull you away from your goals.
• Distinguishing between preferred indifferents and preferred indifferents: Stoicism identifies things outside our control as "indifferents." However, some indifferents are preferable to others (health over illness, for instance). Moderation involves appreciating the preferable indifferents without becoming attached to them or devastated by their absence.
• Practicing self-control: This is crucial. Moderation requires conscious effort to resist impulsive desires and to make choices aligned with reason and virtue.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Moderation

1. Mindful Consumption: Examine your relationship with possessions, food, and entertainment. Are you driven by external validation or genuine enjoyment? Practice mindful consumption by asking yourself: "Do I truly need this?" before making purchases or indulging in pleasures.

2. Emotional Regulation: Stoicism isn't about eliminating emotions, but managing them. Extreme emotional reactions – excessive joy or debilitating grief – often stem from unrealistic expectations. Practice techniques like negative visualization and journaling to build resilience and manage emotional responses.

3. Setting Realistic Goals: Avoid setting overly ambitious goals that lead to burnout and frustration. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate small victories along the way to maintain motivation and avoid disappointment.

4. Cultivating Self-Compassion: Stoicism isn't about self-flagellation. While self-improvement is key, avoid harsh self-criticism. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, recognizing that setbacks are inevitable.

5. Seeking Balance: Life is multifaceted. Moderation requires finding balance between work and rest, social engagement and solitude, physical activity and mental rest. Avoid extremes and strive for a harmonious integration of these different aspects.

6. Dichotomy of Control: Regularly remind yourself of what you can and cannot control. Focusing your energy on what is within your power – your thoughts and actions – reduces stress and promotes a sense of agency. This, in turn, fosters a more moderate approach to life's challenges.

7. Embrace the Present Moment: Anxiety and excessive desires often stem from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Practice mindfulness to stay grounded in the present moment, appreciating what you have instead of constantly striving for more.

Avoiding Extremes: The Golden Mean

Aristotle's concept of the "Golden Mean" aligns perfectly with the Stoic emphasis on moderation. It suggests finding a balance between two extremes – deficiency and excess. For example:

• Courage (virtue): Deficiency: Cowardice; Excess: Recklessness; Golden Mean: Courage
• Generosity (virtue): Deficiency: Stinginess; Excess: Extravagance; Golden Mean: Generosity

By understanding this principle, you can consciously strive for the virtuous middle ground in various aspects of your life.

Conclusion: A Moderate Path to a Fulfilling Life

Cultivating moderation in your Stoic practice isn't about deprivation or suppressing your emotions; it's about living a virtuous life guided by reason and wisdom. By consciously practicing the techniques outlined above, you can find a balanced and fulfilling path – a moderate approach that aligns with the true spirit of Stoicism. Remember that the journey towards moderation is ongoing, requiring continuous self-reflection and adjustment. Embrace the process, and enjoy the journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.