5 Principles for a Happier Life

Trust nature

Before I discovered Stoic principles, I went through life without a clear purpose. Without any idea of how to live a good life.

I simply imitated the actions and behavior of those around me. But the truth is that most people are unhappy and aimless.

I seriously started practicing Stoicism when I was 28. That’s when things started to change in my life. That was in 2015. Since then, I’ve become happier every year.

9 years after I started living as a Stoic, I can wholeheartedly say that happiness is a muscle that gets stronger the more you train it.

Let me share 5 of the most useful Stoic principles with you. I hope they will improve your happiness as much as they improved mine.

1. Become fearless

“He who fears death will never do anything to help the living. But he who knows that this was decreed the moment he was conceived will live by principle and at the same time will ensure, using the same power of mind, that nothing of what happens to him comes as a surprise.” — Seneca

Look, we’re all going to die. I guarantee you this.

All the things that make you unhappy today will seem meaningless on your deathbed.

• You got a bad grade
• It’s always bad weather in your town
• No one likes your social media posts
• Someone didn’t invite you to their birthday party
• Other people seem happy and you feel alone

Get over it. Go through life fearlessly. Do the things you always wanted to do.

2. Desire nothing outside your control

“Our master is anyone who has the power to implement or prevent the things that we want or don’t want.” — Epictetus

This might hurt, but needs to be said: Too many of us are slaves to external validation.