If you’ve scrolled through social media lately, you’ve probably stumbled across snippets of Stoic philosophy presented as groundbreaking life hacks. Marcus Aurelius is having quite the comeback, with memes proclaiming that “You can’t control what happens, only how you react” over sunsets and minimalist designs. It’s easy to forget that these ideas have been around for over two millennia—long before hashtags and influencer culture.
The Stoics—think Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus—weren’t peddling self-help mantras; they were offering a deeply practical philosophy of life. At its core, Stoicism is about focusing on what you can control (your thoughts, actions, and attitudes) and letting go of what you can’t (everything else). Sound familiar? It’s the same foundation that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was built upon.
CBT, one of the most evidence-based therapeutic approaches today, draws heavily from Stoic principles. When clients learn to reframe unhelpful thoughts, they’re practicing something Epictetus taught centuries ago: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Stoicism offers a perspective that can help us navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace—a perspective that therapists and clients alike can benefit from exploring.
But let’s not romanticize the Stoics as serene sages who floated through life unaffected. Seneca, for example, wrote extensively about managing anxiety and preparing for life’s hardships because, well, he was anxious and life was hard. Their philosophy wasn’t about suppressing emotion or pretending everything is fine; it was about finding clarity amidst chaos. In therapy, this means helping clients identify and challenge distorted thinking while staying grounded in their values.
Stoicism also aligns with principles of recovery. Much like the Stoics advised detaching from outcomes, recovery teaches acceptance and commitment to the process, not perfection. It’s about showing up daily, knowing progress isn’t linear, and embracing imperfection with humility.
So, while the latest Stoic-inspired mug or app might feel trendy, the philosophy itself is timeless. Therapists can weave these principles into their practice—not as a fad, but as a way to connect clients with enduring wisdom. And for clients? Stoicism can be a gentle reminder that life’s challenges, while inevitable, are never insurmountable.
The next time you hear Marcus Aurelius quoted on Instagram, smile and remember: the Stoics weren’t influencers—they were the original CBT practitioners, quietly nudging humanity toward a calmer, more intentional life.