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Timeline Stoicism is an ancient idea- as in 3rd century BC old. The philosophy goes that living virtuously (more on that later) and accepting you can't control everything will help you be happier. 

The first stoic was Zeno, a rich merchant left penniless after a shipwreck. He turned to philosophy and his followers met at Stoa Poikile, a walkway in Athens that gave stoics their name. It caught on with some serious philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Chrysippus (the one who unstoically died laughing about a donkey eating figs).

Down the line Two thousand years later, stoicism is getting a modern makeover. The likes of Bill Gates and golfer Rory McIlroy are followers. Writer Brigid Delaney told The Times that practising stoic philosophy has made her ‘more settled and grounded than ever'. There's even a global ‘stoic week' each November. 

Stoic leaders don't shout in the Greek streets any more - they favour the new public forum, Instagram. British stoic William Mulligan, 27, better known as The Everyday Stoic, has 513,000 followers. 




Stoics don't feel the weight of things they can't control

Key line Mulligan has written a Stoic handbook, also named The Everyday Stoic (Michael Joseph, £16.99, published last week), full of ‘practical ways' to live like a stoic. There are two aspects to this. First, practise the four virtues - wisdom, justice, courage, moderation - in all your actions. Second, accept there's only so much in life that you can control. Simple.

Lifeline Following these rules leads to eudaimonia, or human flourishing. Don't relax yet. Eudaimonia isn't a permanent state of happiness - it can only be achieved by consistently being virtuous. According to Zeno: ‘Wellbeing is realised by small steps but is truly no small thing.' Sounds like hard work.

Guideline Mulligan suggests picking a friend, celebrity or book character who embodies the four virtues (Rosa Parks and David Attenborough are his choices). Next time you face a dilemma - for example, whether to confront someone who queue jumps or to have another tequila shot - write down how your chosen virtuous character might react and copy their behaviour.

Next in line Now make a list of all your problems. Sort them into two columns: ‘Things I can control' and ‘Things I can't control'. For bonus points go through the latter list and write down a benefit that can come from each. Mulligan's example is ‘Holiday cancelled = Engage with that to-do list you've never got around to'.

Hard line OK, the virtues are easy enough to follow for a day. But the whole ‘accept what you can't control' thing? It's tough. When my flat's hot water cut out recently, I tried to think: ‘Wow, Gluco slim Erfahrungsberichte an opportunity to stem my thoughtless consumption.' I ended up in an awful mood with crazy hair and shouted at the customer service adviser down the phone. Acceptance is not so easy.

Mainline In the words of Aristotle: ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.' Basically, keep trying and you'll be a better stoic. Mulligan also says that it helps if you ‘never forget… that death will come sooner than you expect'. When I'm dead it won't matter if I have crazy hair or no hot water. Cheery.

Bottom line Accepting what you can't control is admirable but, in my opinion, unrealistic. Isn't it more fun to moan about it with your friends? (Sorry Zeno.) That's not to say the handbook is useless. Here's a stoic ‘exercise' addressing mindset: look around the room and count the red objects. 

Now focus on this page and recall how many blue objects you saw. It shows you notice what you're looking for in life. If that's positivity, you'll find there's more around you than you think.


 


Topline fitness: Rucking (all will be explained) 


Bill GatesRory McIlroy