About philosophy?

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own . . .” Epictetus

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word "philosophy" is Stoicism. Now, I won’t bore you with what it is. who started it, where it came from, or any of that textbook history. This isn’t a classroom, and I’m definitely not your professor (unless you brought snacks, in which case, I might reconsider).

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Here’s the deal: everyone needs a philosophy—not the dusty, ancient, “let’s debate the meaning of life” kind, but a personal guiding principle. Something rock-solid that keeps you from emotionally spiraling when life decides to serve you a cold dish of chaos with a side of stress.

Life is uncertain, let's face it. One moment you're enjoying a cup of coffee and feeling fantastic, and the next you're doubting everything because your Wi-Fi has gone down. Life is difficult. "And blessed are those who have found that one struggle that they can be happy with". The reality is that life may be difficult at times. Workloads, family issues, romantic issues (valentine special), financial issues, and many other issues. However, the way you live your life and your philosophy should be the one discipline that keeps you going when things become tough. One excellent illustration of a life philosophy is the attitude that I won't give up.

Everyone’s philosophy is different, but if you don’t have one yet, consider exploring the wisdom of great thinkers. Learning from others can offer valuable insights into shaping your own perspective. Personally, my approach to life is influenced by many ideas, but at its core, stoicism has a major role.

"But why philosophy today, Dishav?"

I do want to share a principle that has saved me countless times—mentally, emotionally, and in moments of absolute chaos. And I hope it does the same for you.

Whenever I catch myself stressing over things beyond my control, I remind myself of one core Stoic principle:

The Dichotomy of Control:

Some things are within our control, and others are not. The moment we stop trying to control what’s beyond our power, we can shift our focus to what truly matters and reduce unnecessary stress. This is the same wisdom Lord Krishna shared with Arjuna—do your duty without attachment to the results. Yet, we often find ourselves fixated on things we can’t change: how others behave, a difficult assignment from a tutor, or demands from a boss.

Next time you feel overwhelmed, pause and ask yourself:

"Is this within my control?"

If the answer is no, then why waste time worrying about it? Instead, focus on what you can change, and let the rest go. What is in my control is the work at my hand, the process, so let me finish this work and worry tomorrow.

It isn’t something you master by reading or taking advice alone—it demands continuous practice. And that effort naturally leads to one of Stoicism’s core philosophies: “Seek Discomfort,” a theme I’ll explore in more detail soon.