Jemma Spike

People were really getting on the stoicism train.

And when you think about the turbulent, often terrifying world we live in, that is full of powerful leaders doing terrible things and a climate catastrophe and images of genocide and war and suffering, I think we can really see why most people aren't going any other way.

And we begin to understand just where this search for meaning is really

coming from.

More recently, you have probably encountered a very familiar and now very famous version of Stoicism, which is the Mel Robbins Let Them Theory.

Who hasn't heard about this book?

It has had its viral moment.

And the thing is, it is basically a modern practical application of some very rudimentary versions of Stoic principles.

It emphasizes focusing on what you can control, protecting your peace, not focusing on what you can't control.

If you haven't read the Let Them Theory, if you haven't read the book, basically it says, let people be who they are and then move from there.

It really highlights the dichotomy of control that Stoicism is very famous for.

You have to be able to make that distinction.

What can I change in a situation?

And what am I just going to pain myself and destroy myself trying to change?

That being other people's thoughts, other people's actions, other people's personalities.

You can't.

You can't change that.

So focus on what you can.

And it is, you know, the Let Them Theory is a direct application in many ways of those Stoic principles about the dichotomy of control.

Stoicism also really emphasizes radical acceptance, right?