Stoicism starts with everyday life
Not everything is in your hands.
But you can practise your response. Start with one message that has not been answered.
See the difference02 / Fact and assumption
No reply does not mean rejection.
The message has not been answered. Deliberate rejection is one possible explanation, but you do not yet know the reason.
- Fact
- “My message has not been answered.”
- Assumption
- “They are deliberately ignoring me.”
You know there is no reply. You do not yet know why.
03 / Your part
Separate what you can choose.
You can influence a conversation. You cannot guarantee another person’s response.
Not your decision
- When they reply
- What they say
Yours to choose
- How you question your assumption
- What you do next
04 / A next step
Choose an action, not an outcome.
You may still feel uneasy. Your next step need not follow your first assumption.
Try choosing a next step
Your action changes. Their reply is still not yours to guarantee.
One possible next step
“I do not know the reason yet. I can give it time.”
No reply yet.
05 / A small practice
This is one Stoic practice.
Notice the fact. Question your assumption. Do the part that is yours to choose.
You can keep trying while still feeling uneasy.
Now try it with a situation you are facing.
Find your situation