When Life Hurts, Care Less About It | The Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

"We suffer more in our imagination than in reality."

"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.”― Marcus Aurelius

"You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this and you will find great strength." —Marcus Aurelius

"We are not affected by what happens to us, but by what we tell ourselves about what happens to us." Epictetus

"Worrying is like trying to figure out how to cross a river you might not come to." - Louis L'Amour

One thing I have realised is that you can never outrun your problems or negativity in this world you just have to accept this is the world we live and focus on things you can control to make it a better place if not everyone then at least for your family

I’m currently suicidal. This and many of your other videos are showing me how I can have a future. Thank you for going to such lengths to share all this knowledge with others.

My life changed (for the better) almost instantly when I realized that “not giving a f*ck” was not only okay, but essential to being happy. I also stopped watching the news, which helped even more.

Recently got diagnosed with stage 2 brain cancer at 28. Had to have a tumor removed. Lot of people around me acting like it’s the end of the world for me. While I meanwhile remember these lessons of Aurelius and am very ambivalent to the news. It just is what it is, if I die I die. Oh well. Edit: People keep asking if I’m dead, i can’t very well reply even if I was dead now can I? Edit: to those wishing me well, thank you. I am still alive. Been getting control of the situation more. Edit: May 15, 2024 Still here. Goin strong, some days feels like Mind over Matter is a genuine help.

Stoicism has truly helped me so much in coping with my anxiety. Seneca's Letters From a Stoic is also one of my all-time favourite books, and I recommend it to anyone who struggles with anxiety.

I am sick and tired of feeling anxious all the time. I can’t taste what i eat i can’t sleep properly i can’t communicate properly i can’t even do the hobbies of mine that i used enjoyed. But i watched this and i haven’t felt this good for a long time. It was a huge relief. Thank you A LOT..

Interesting fact: the song that is played at 4:15 is called Seikilos Epitaph, and it is the oldest surviving musical composition. A man left it written on his wife's grave and the lyrics says: "While you live, shine have no grief at all life exists only for a short while and Time demands his due"

It isn't life that hurts. It is always people that hurt everything. Life itself doesn't do anything on its own. It's us!

I once had a problem with dismissing my own needs and happiness in hopes of gaining my family's acceptance and affection. I endured their dysfunction and abuse. This then spilled over into people pleasing behavior with friends and work as I grew up. There too I stayed loyal to friends who used me and terrible working conditions. Eventually the demands became too much and I had a breakdown shortly after my one real friend died... having committed suicide at 33... and I was no closer to real love or acceptance with my family who behaved cruelly in this time. I had closed my real self off. I began to set boundries and was met with lashing out... people who have grown used to getting what they want from you do not care for when you begin to build and maintain reasonable boundries....which reinforced my decision. At first I was saddened by lost relationships until I realized all I had lost were chains I had given myself. As recent years have passed I see I was chasing something that was not there to be caught, and my own responsibility in the cause of my sorrows and the cause of my contentment. Since that time my mother has passed due to her alcoholism. I would still be happy to have a healthy relationship with my remaining family but have also learned to accept that might never happen. I cannot force it but only be open to its possibility. I can instead be open to what life has to offer now and do my best each day without the expectation of anything other than my own satisfaction and that has brought me a lot of peace of mind.

Basically, don't get upset, mad or worried about things you can't control. You can't control the future, so don't worry about it. You can prepare for it, but you can't control it. You can't control the past, so don't dwell on what should have or could have, don't let it consume you.

This was my key to happiness. I used to worry about everything, now I don't worry about anything. I woke up one day and it hit me, I value my time more than money. I had never been more broke, but I never felt more rich. Money, material things, nothing compares to time!

Accept what is, what was, and let them go. Don't dwell on things out of your control. Accept what happens and move forward with life.

The more I listen to these messeges and apply what I've learned the easier my life becomes. Turning 77 this May but it's never too late to improve one's life😊 Thank you from my whole heart❤.

"The future only bothers us because we think about it. It does not exist outside the mind."

I’m so chill that people look at me like I’m emotionless but I’m running through every emotion in my head all the time