Finding Calm in the Storm: How Ancient Stoicism Can Help Us Navigate Modern Chaos

Lately, I've been experiencing some intense fears about the future. The political upheaval around us, the possibility of AI reshaping everything we know, climate change accelerating beyond our control—it feels like the world is descending into chaos, and the people running the show sometimes seem to be rooting for our mutual destruction.

Every once in a while, I snap out of this spiral and remember that all I really have is what's right in

front of me and the present moment. At the airport one day, I saw a book that hit exactly that sweet spot: "Reasons Not to Worry: How to be Stoic in Chaotic Times", by Brigid Delaney. I'm glad I picked it up because it helped translate what we're experiencing today into wisdom that ancient philosophers would recognize—timeless tools for turbulent times.

But before I dive into what Stoicism can offer us, let me tell you about when I really could have used these tools.

COVID: The Perfect Test of Stoicism

I still remember the anger, frustration, and misery of being cooped up in my crappy apartment in Barcelona with three other classmates. It was March 2020, and we were slowly processing the likelihood that the rest of our business school experience would be completely upended—no more crazy parties, no exchange programs, no international modules, no fun trips with friends, no more classic classroom case discussions.

While I'm sympathetic to the fact that we were all operating under extreme uncertainty and stress, I certainly could have handled what unfolded so much better. I acted with a sense of entitlement and self-righteousness, thinking somehow we could will our way to defying lockdown laws to have the MBA experience we "deserved." I dwelled on everything that was lost and wasted enormous energy trying to find someone to blame—criticizing every restriction, getting defensive every time someone called me out for not following rules, nitpicking every imperfection in professors' prepared online lessons.

Had I understood Stoicism then, navigating this crazy experience would have felt like walking down a well-trodden trail rather than hacking through a forest with a machete. I simply didn't have the right tools for such an intense and unprecedented situation.

What Is Stoicism, Really?

Stoicism often gets misunderstood as a philosophy of stiff upper lips and repressed feelings. In reality, it's one of the most practical approaches to life ever devised—a toolkit for thriving in uncertainty rather than just surviving it.

Founded in ancient Greece around 300 BCE and carried into Rome by brilliant thinkers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius, Stoicism teaches that we can achieve inner tranquility regardless of external circumstances by focusing on what we can actually control while accepting what we cannot. It's a philosophy built for everyday people facing real problems—which is why it feels so relevant today.

At its core, Stoicism is about reclaiming your power. Not the power to control the world around you, but the much more valuable power to control your responses, your choices, and your character.

Why Turbulence Is Actually Normal

When we look back at history, we see that turbulence isn't new—it's the default setting. Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor whose Meditations still inspire millions, was writing his reflections while Rome was simultaneously at war and ravaged by plague. Seneca was giving advice on tranquility while living under the constant threat of execution by Nero.

Our modern version of turbulence might be economic downturns, climate anxiety, political polarization, or even the constant ping of notifications demanding our attention. But the principle remains the same: the world is always in flux. The choice is whether we let that flux overwhelm us—or whether we use it as a training ground for resilience, focus, and even joy.

This perspective shift alone can be liberating. Instead of thinking "Why is everything so crazy right now?" we can ask "How can I respond to this moment with wisdom and strength?"

Three Stoic Practices for Modern Times

1. The Dichotomy of Control

"The more we value things outside our control, the less control we have..." - Epictetus

The cornerstone of Stoicism is a simple but radical question: What is up to me, and what is not?

Up to me: My thoughts, reactions, decisions, values, effort, and how I treat others.

Not up to me: The economy, other people's choices, election outcomes, climate patterns, AI development, what happened in the past, and what might happen in the future.

Once we sort events into these two buckets, we reclaim enormous energy that's usually wasted fighting battles we can't win. When you catch yourself stressed about inflation, ask: "Can I control inflation? No. Can I control how I manage my budget and spending? Yes." When climate anxiety hits, ask: "Can I stop global warming alone? No. Can I make responsible choices and support policies I believe in? Absolutely."

Try this: For one week, when you feel stressed or angry, pause and ask: "Is this in my control?" If not, practice the phrase: "This is not up to me, but my response is."

2. Negative Visualization

"Your days are numbered. Use them to throw open the windows of your soul to the sun. If you do not, the sun will soon set, and you with it." - Marcus Aurelius

The Stoics practiced imagining the loss of things they valued—family, health, fortune—not to become gloomy, but to sharpen their gratitude and reduce attachment to outcomes. If you've ever lost your phone and then found it again, you know how sweet something feels once you've pictured life without it.

This isn't about being pessimistic; it's about building emotional resilience and appreciating what you have. When we mentally rehearse challenges, we're less devastated when they actually occur and more grateful for what remains.

Try this: Once a week, spend five minutes imagining losing something you take for granted—your health, your job, your relationship. Notice how this changes your appreciation when you open your eyes and realize you still have it.

3. Amor Fati—Love of Fate

"True understanding is to see the events of life in this way: 'You are here for my benefit, though rumor paints you otherwise.' And everything is turned to one's advantage when he greets a situation like this: You are the very thing I was looking for. Truly whatever arises in life is the right materials to bring about yoru growth and the grwoth of those around you. This, in a word, is art - and this art called 'life' is a practice suitable to both men and gods. Everything contains some special prupose and a hidden blessing; what then could be strange or arduous when allfo life is here to greet you like an old and faithful friend?"

The most radical Stoic practice is not just accepting what happens, but embracing it. "Amor fati" means to love your fate—all of it. This doesn't mean you have to love injustice or suffering, but it does mean you can view even the hardest moments as part of your story, fuel for growth, and raw material for developing virtue.

Instead of asking "Why me?" when something difficult happens, amor fati asks "How can this make me stronger, wiser, or more compassionate?"

Try this: When facing a setback, instead of immediately fighting it, ask: "What might this experience teach me?" or "How could this redirect me toward something better?"

Joy in the Storm

Here's what surprised me most about Stoicism: it's not about gritting your teeth while life batters you. The deeper promise is joy. Marcus Aurelius didn't just endure his challenges; he found dignity and even contentment in them. Seneca, writing letters while under constant threat, spoke of the serenity that comes from knowing your mind is free, no matter what's happening around you.

In our own lives, Stoicism invites us to discover what the Stoics called an "inner citadel"—an unshakable core that lets us laugh, love, and live fully even when the world feels uncertain. It's not about becoming emotionless; it's about becoming emotionally free.

Back to COVID: A Stoic Redemption Story

I know I painted myself as a grumpy, entitled student earlier—but I want to share my redemption arc because, looking back, I think I eventually stumbled into some accidentally Stoic responses.

I eventually accepted the situation and, in some ways, began to see what was special about what we were experiencing. I realized I might never see Barcelona again without tourists—what a rare gift! Those intimate dinners in people's homes instead of crowded club nights created deeper friendships than I'd expected.

I stopped dwelling on "what could have been" and remembered that I was actually lucky to be stuck in such a beautiful place during a global pandemic. The rest of the world had it way worse.

Most importantly, I learned to focus on what was in my control. I invested heavily in learning Spanish (way more than I would have otherwise). I stayed fit doing P90X with classmates over video calls. I had deep conversations with classmates about how they were handling everything. I continued building the LGBTQ+ student club I'd started, finding new ways to create community even when we couldn't gather in person.

Without realizing it, I had started practicing the Dichotomy of Control, found gratitude through imagining worse scenarios, and was learning to love my fate—even when it looked nothing like what I'd planned.

Enjoy the gallery below: scenes from classes, graduation and trips (yes, we figured out ways to take trips!).

Your Stoic Toolkit: A Weekly Practice

This week, try this Stoic experiment. Each morning, write down:

What's in my control today?

• My effort at work

• How I respond to my partner's mood

• Whether I exercise

• My attitude toward unexpected problems

What's outside my control today?

• The weather

• Traffic

• My boss's decisions

• News headlines

• Other people's reactions

Notice how this shift of focus shapes the way you walk into your day. You'll likely find yourself feeling more empowered and less reactive.

Finding Your Inner Citadel

Whether you're worried about AI taking over, democracy crumbling, or your personal life falling apart, Stoicism offers the same fundamental insight: you are far more resilient than you think, and you have far more control than you realize—just not over the things you've been trying to control.

The storms of life won't stop. But Stoicism teaches us that calm, clarity, and even joy are always within reach, because they come from within. The world may be turbulent, but your mind can be steady.

And if you're looking for ways to not only survive but thrive in times of uncertainty, Stoicism offers a toolkit that's been tested for over 2,000 years. It's not about being unfeeling—it's about being unshakable.

"I laugh at those who think they can damage me. They do not know who I am, they do not know what I think, they cannot even touch the things which are really mine and with which I live." - Epictetus

The chaos around us isn't going anywhere. But with these ancient tools, neither are we.

For Learning and With Love,

Chris

(I will always look fabulous, as that is in my control, thank you very much.)