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Does stoicism make you depressed?

In this episode, I dig into the pros and cons of stoicism—especially for entrepreneurs—and how to avoid falling into the dark side of the philosophy. Stoicism can build emotional resilience and clarity… or if misunderstood, lead to apathy, isolation, and depression. Let’s break that down.

Here’s what I cover:

• Why stoicism is powerful—but potentially dangerous if misapplied
• The difference between naive stoicism vs. authentic stoicism
• 4 traps to avoid that can spiral you into emotional burnout
• A checklist to keep your stoic practice emotionally healthy

📉 Study Highlights:

• +13.3% mood improvement: A 2024 Stoic Week study found guided stoic exercises reduce depression and anxiety.
• 2.32x higher suicide risk: Another 2024 study showed men self-identifying as “stoic” had significantly higher lifetime suicide attempt risk.

⚠️ 4 Stoic Traps That Can Harm You:

1. Emotional suppression: Bottling up feelings instead of processing them rationally.
2. Chronic negative visualization without gratitude: Always planning for the worst without mental bounce-back.
3. Self-reliance to the point of isolation: Rejecting support systems or peer community.
4. Refusing to ask for help: Wearing the “tough guy” mask at the cost of mental health.

✅ A Checklist for Practicing Healthy Stoicism:

• Dichotomy of control, not of feelings: Feel what you feel—then act on what you can control.
• Daily review with data: Morning intentions, evening audits. Focus on one virtue at a time.
• Build a community of equals: Don’t isolate. Find your iron to sharpen iron.
• Test the effect: Track your mood (0–10 scale) for 30 days and look for patterns.
• Know the red line: Watch for apathy. If you stop caring, you’ve gone too far.

⏱️ Chapters:

• 00:00 Is Stoicism Dangerous or Powerful?
• 01:25 Two Conflicting Studies on Stoicism
• 03:30 Naive vs. Authentic Stoicism
• 06:15 My Military Story: Apathy vs. Composure
• 08:45 Four Stoic Traps That Spiral Mental Health
• 16:50 Practicing Real Stoicism: Daily Checklist
• 22:00 The Goal: Self-Mastery, Not Suppression

Stoicism can strengthen your mindset—but only if practiced properly. This episode helps you walk the line between emotional regulation and emotional suppression. Use the philosophy to master yourself—not mute yourself.

Connect with me:
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Get my book: https://bit.ly/killingcomfort

#stoicism #entrepreneurmentalhealth #selfmastery #emotionalresilience #tryharder #betterhumanbusiness