3-Minute Theory: Stoicism Isn't Cold - It's Clarity

Both of us are avid readers of Stoicism.

These 7 Stoic laws have reshaped how we deal with pain, control, fear, overthinking, and success.

This wasn’t a lesson about ancient Rome, it was about navigating modern life with timeless wisdom.

Here’s what we pulled from it - in 3 minutes, 3 angles, 1 insight.

MIND – Think

“We suffer more in imagination than in reality.”

Your mind is a movie studio. And half the time, it’s producing horror films that never happened and never will.

Most suffering comes not from life, but from the stories we believe in about life.

Catch the thought. Question it. Come back to what’s real.

BODY – Do

Practice “Negative Visualisation” (1-minute exercise):

Imagine waking up and losing something you take for granted, your sight, your job, your ability to walk.

• Now open your eyes, touch yourself and look around.

• That thing you feared losing? You still have it.

This Stoic technique isn’t about negativity, it’s about cultivating deep, embodied gratitude.

HEART – Feel

Ask yourself:

“What am I trying to control right now that isn’t mine to hold?”

It could be a person. A future. An outcome.

Letting go doesn’t mean apathy, it means returning to what’s actually within your power.

That’s where peace begins.

A Piece of Us

Rupert: “"Relationships will always come and go in life, but taking the time to reflect and learn from them is one of the most important lessons. Truly feeling empathy—really feeling it—is about listening to someone, even when they haven’t said a word. It’s not about making assumptions; it’s about looking inward and asking yourself, What could I have done better?

Now, I want to be real and honest. I’ve made mistakes. I’m not the best at communicating my feelings—but how does anyone get better at something? By leaning into discomfort. For me, that means reflecting on how I feel, instead of doing what’s ""right"" for others just to appear perfect. People-pleasing doesn’t serve anyone, and no one truly connects with a mask of perfection.

I’ve come to recognize my weaknesses. I’m a recovering people-pleaser, and I’m working through that, slowly but surely. Part of that growth is putting myself in someone else's shoes—really imagining how my actions might have made them feel. But when you're caught up in your own emotions and assumptions, it can be hard to see beyond them.

So this week, I encourage you to reflect more. Be more grateful—for all that you are, both the good and the messy. Be more honest about how you really feel. Let yourself be seen. That’s what builds a better person. That’s what makes someone real. That’s what makes someone honest.".

Konrad: “Took a week off last week – from everything. Just played it by ear, went camping, travelled around the UK, chilled at home, binged TV, and ate a lot of junk food. My inner voice kept telling me: You should go to the gym. You should work on the podcast more. You shouldn’t rest. Should, should, should, should.

I’ve burnt out more times than I can count over the past decade. I was operating on should/must/have. Taking a week off won’t hurt – in fact, I came back more motivated and full of new ideas. I’ve pushed hard this year, and I’ve already achieved a lot. That’s not to say I’m letting my foot off the gas completely, but sometimes it’s good to pause, reflect and enjoy – so I was happy to rest.

I love that feeling when it’s the last day of your week off and you’re looking forward to getting back to the routine you had. This summer will be slightly slower, but I’m happy.”

Also, you might like the full episode. 😊 

Have a lovely week!