7 Ways Marcus Aurelius Might Have Dealt with Social Media Notifications

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and stoic philosopher, didn’t like distractions And as far as we know, he did not own an iPhone. With an understanding of Stoicism, here are seven ways he would’ve handled pings coming from his robe pocket.

1. View Each Notification as a Test of Your Will:

Treat notifications as opportunities to practice self-control and willpower, rather than as mere distractions.

2. Ask Yourself: Is This Within My Control?:

Focus on whether responding to the notification is within your control and if it aligns with your values, letting go of what doesn’t.

3. Reflect on the Importance of the Present Moment:

Use interruptions as reminders to stay focused on the present task, emphasizing the value of mindfulness.

4. Use Reason to Evaluate the Notification’s Value:

Apply reason to decide if a notification deserves your attention, prioritizing based on importance and urgency.

5. Practice Moderation with Technology:

Set boundaries for technology use to prevent it from overwhelming your life, practicing digital moderation.

6. Seek Inner Peace Over External Validation:

Focus on inner growth and self-approval rather than seeking external validation from notifications, especially social media.

7. Embrace Moments of Silence and Reflection:

Turn the interruption of notification into an opportunity for a brief pause to reflect on your state of mind and alignment with your principles.

Why not take a Stoic approach to social media? It can help maintain a balanced and centered nature while staying connected to the world. Be like Marcus.

Subscribe to my newsletter at https://sixfiguresontheside.substack.com