Don't Worry, Everything is Out of Control | Stoic Antidotes to Worry

The ancient Stoics aimed to embrace the unpredictability of the future and many other things that are not within the individual’s control. In their writings, the Stoics left us some valuable antidotes that could help us worry less in a universe out of control.
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#stoicism #marcusaurelius #worry
00:00 - Intro
02:28 - (1) Being prudent
05:32 - (2) Not being a cowardly scout
08:03 - (3) Not being a beggar
10:04 - (4) Being content with fate

[@Vampress09]

Every time I watch these videos I get a sense of detachment which is very calming. The problem is I am unable to make it last.

[@zenostrixster]

I understand I don't expect to break habits ingrained since childhood by a single video. So I watch it again and again and usually I find the problem

[@anshgupta6986]

Be in solitude, detachment would be long lasting!

[@boo.1337]

The periods of peace get longer as you study and work on your mentality, just be patient with yourself

[@lookintopsilocybin]

Psilocybin might be interesting for you to look into...

[@lennihco]

Reading the actual source (in this case e.g. Marcus Aurelius‘ Meditations) helps a lot!

[@sandrab2589]

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the moment. - Lao Tzu

[@Edithae]

What if you're anxious AND depressed?

[@nemesisurvivorleon]

​@@Edithae time traveler

[@divyanshukumar9614]

​@@nemesisurvivorleon 😂😂

[@kingswood2149]

What if at the present moment you are dealing with a angry wife please help lol

[@unassailable6138]

@@kingswood2149 divorce, living with her is your choice

[@vladyslavanufriiev1224]

the mere phrase "don't worry, everything is out of control" is so paradoxical, yet does wonders

[@j4513]

So true

[@osman2k]

lol true

[@piyushchandane3223]

its true and actually mind blowing

[@mindfulnesswithmatt]

I always ask myself does worrying actually change the results? And most of the time it’s a no. Try our best and make the most of our fate is the way to go. Well said

[@OogaB0oga]

Absolutely. I'd even go so far as to say that it's *always* a no. It is how you act on that worry that has a chance to make a difference, not the worry itself.

[@Emiliapocalypse]

With me the answer is unfortunately a resounding YES!! when I don’t worry, there’s more things I miss and the more that goes wrong or gets forgotten. The more I worry the more I am able to prevent things by doing something in advance

[@OogaB0oga]

@@Emiliapocalypse well, for me there is a connection between lower overall anxiety and hightened vigilance to avoid screwing up. At the same time, when I'm anxious, I tend to get hyper-vigilant in a not exactly helpful way. It's a mixed bag I guess...

[@Puck-oi4wv]

And the outcome is always diffrent then youre imagination;)

[@Zencba]

​​@@Emiliapocalypse Worrying brings anxiety, for me anxiety will cloud your judgement and you make decisions from emotions and not logic. But does planning in advance or safety protocol mean you're worrying or does it mean your being calculative.

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

I hope these two little Stoic quotes help someone needing to hear them: "We suffer more in imagination than in reality." -Seneca "Man is not worried by real problems so much as by his imagined anxieties about real problems." -Epictetus All the best!💜

[@aviv3222]

thank you, that was indeed very calming

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

@@aviv3222 You're welcome, Aviv. Glad it helped. I wish you the best!🙏 “Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.” - Randy Armstrong✨

[@janelliot5643]

That helps, immensely!

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

@@janelliot5643 Glad to hear that, Jan🙏 I wish you the best✨ "I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened." -Mark Twain "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." -Max Planck "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💜

[@Belief_Before_Glory]

📌"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this and you will find great strength." -Marcus Aurelius💜

[@Hafessor]

I was just taking a short break from work and browsing KZbin and told myself that i could sure use a new einzelganger video right now and suddey i get a notification for this

[@UniqueGeekFreak]

Your wish is his command lol

[@amelahalkic7142]

same here😀

[@rzl34]

embrace the unpredictability of the future

[@explorer.samrat]

You have control over your mind, not outside events... realise this and you will find strength - Marcus Aurelius 🙏🏻

[@RSTactical]

Now the question is do you make your own daily choices or is it all predestined ?

[@cirogarcia9951]

Tell that to a paranoid schizophrenic

[@Breakaway-ic5gj]

A lot of the time we operate on autopilot but we can think about what and why are we doing the thing we are doing and then change our course of action

[@muralidharankv169]

@@RSTacticalWhat is your opinion?

[@LetsGo_Brandon]

I believe that higher beings can control the state of one's consciousness, and that to me is terrifying.

[@maximelagace]

"Relax. Nothing is under control." -Adi Da "The first step: Don’t be anxious. Nature controls it all." -Marcus Aurelius

[@FelixSkura]

"Fear doesn’t control us by dominating our emotions. It controls us by quietly convincing us that our comfort is more important than happiness.”

[@Manifestation9]

Can you elaborate through example?

[@jean-marclamothe8859]

I don’t get it😮

[@shrimantj]

1. Being prudent: be aware of the fantasies that your mind creates and do not indulge in them endlessly 2. Not being a cowardly scout: evaluate if your perception of reality is actually real or driven by your fears (also evaluate if death and other miseries are actually bad or just indifferent reality) 3. Not being a beggar: focus on the things under our control rather than begging Gods/Universe for a future actuality not under our control 4. Being content with fate: embrace whatever the future brings us (don't let your contentment be driven by your desires being met in the future - possibly by desiring nothing)

[@dankrebs4764]

Summed up in two words - 'Desire Nothing', what could be simpler?

[@Lili_ia]

Basically not be human and dare to have hopes and desires 😦

[@dankrebs4764]

@@Lili_ia isn't it the hopes and desires (expectations) we have that are the root cause of suffering? Desiring 'absolutely' nothing is, of course impossible but it may be prudent to keep a check on what exactly it is that we desire.

[@ionlucian421]

​@@dankrebs4764 It's the most difficult thing to do actually. I believe no man is without desire, neither rich nor poor, neither stupid nor intelligent. Even the stoics had desire. It's huma nature. I also believe there's no one that is without desire, regret or fear. Such a person would be perfect, therefore it's impossible for such a person to exist. These can be characters of folklore, books and movies, but never a real person.

[@Jade_holloway]

@@ionlucian421 exactly.

[@natecw4164]

One of the most calming things I learned from brain cancer is that 99.99999...% of life is outside my control. Wasting energy on things you don't control is a foolish endeavor.

[@j4513]

Bone marrow cancer and I 100% agree. I am grateful for *all* experiences, for all of the things I learn from them. We cling not, my friend. Life is a journey and we are here for the ride.

[@natecw4164]

​@@j4513 May your outlook bring you peace and strength during this trial my friend

[@andreking9704]

I met a guy who had brain cancer I learned the exact same thing from him. He taught me to let go and relax.

[@hilarystewart366]

"Those desiring to escape from suffering hasten right toward suffering. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness as if it were an enemy." Shantideva

[@ratmon19]

Everyone has some level of stress

[@wanderhillen2435]

So many different ancient cultures discovered the same things, just phrased slightly differently.

[@lookintopsilocybin]

@@wanderhillen2435 And here we are, still looking for ways to phrase the same thing slightly different... The wheels on the bus go round and round ;)

[@lookintopsilocybin]

@@nightywolf8816 i dont "exist"...

[@lookintopsilocybin]

@@nightywolf8816 maybe it "is"

[@johnknowles6711]

I remember when I was happiest when I focused on making a better me without letting myself get to distracted. Those days are long gone, and I too worry alot about all kinds of things, and it's taken its toll on my health. I am here trying to just find piece of mind. It seems to involve alot of just letting things go, and finding the positives in life, and I guess some form of acceptance. These things aren't always easy to do.

[@YouareAToy582]

You will get there again ❤

[@thomashimmer1512]

I can relate to that. I also struggle with acceptance and letting things go. I guess you have to be patient with yourself and trust the process. What matters is moving in the right direction to work on that, not to get it right the first time. Peace.

[@rookiej5587]

Same. I feel like I've lost the most important part of my self and that I'm never gonna find it back again.

[@dillionlynn7239]

If you can do something about it, then don't stress and just do it. If you can't do anything about it, then don't stress, and just let it be out of your control.

[@Austin_B350]

“If we embrace anything the future provides us with, what is left to worry about.” Truly powerful final words 🙏

[@HuanLeVuong]

I went from saying "It can't be worse" to "It only gets worse, so whatever", I can say I'm happier than before.

[@robertschiller5422]

what about just saying: "It gets" without pre-judging it :) according to stoicism judging is not rational (wise). "It only gets worse, so whatever" feels more like pessimism paired with nihilism. Stoics would say "Amor fati". rationally prepare for what can happen in life and when it happens, accept it as it is and perhaps learn from it.

[@HuanLeVuong]

@@robertschiller5422 I'm not that good at English

[@angelacoleman6580]

@@robertschiller5422 perhaps..." It gets"...whatever

[@logic7124]

​@@robertschiller5422 true

[@RSTactical]

​@@robertschiller5422 viable

[@mariAAAAAA_r]

It's been somewhat half a year that I've found your channel and it has helped me tremendously The way you express knowledge and personal beliefs is thought provoking and mind opening Recently got the opportunity to read your second book and it didn't disappoint, keep up the good work!

Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate it.

[@sweeptheleg.]

@ I just ordered all 3 of your books on Amazon last week and I'm picking them up today. I'm so excited!! I can hardly wait to read them. Thanks Einzelganger.

[@stevec8872]

What are the 3 books? I should purchase them all

[@sailom5]

Needed this. Had an event happened around this time I think of yearly. Always tend to get lost in the thoughts. Stay strong everyone

[@norpriest521]

What the hell bro

[@Ominous89]

This just summed up all the reasons why I stopped watching the news, stopped reading newspapers, stopped talking about politics and social issues. It's not my problem anymore. My political opinion won't change a single thing. So why worry and ruin conversations with it? It's beyond my control, so indeed, it's better to worry about the things that are in my control. Straighten up my life, getting my act together. Yes, the world is on fire, but I cannot change anything about it other than warming myself up by its flames. I am liberated.

[@GSCSTRYDER]

Stoicism is the way

[@jimmybrock7660]

I think worrying should not be confused with preparation and awareness. Worrying is outside of the moment. Being aware and prepared to handle what's coming is more in the moment in my opinion.

[@Snikit]

I’m so bad at controlling my worries no matter how many times they don’t come to pass, but I am working on it, and I really appreciate these videos you make. Thank you. ✨💎✨

[@robertschiller5422]

very stoic! keep going! "make a little progress each day". within 1-3 years you could be indestructible with a stoic fortress in your head :)

[@Jade_Hanson]

I'm a stoic by nature however I have to admit. The unpredictable and uncontrollable do weigh on you every once in a while.

[@sophiapde9369]

I cannot thank you enough . You are the voice of courage.

[@b0banna119]

I am so relieved that I found this channel and that I learned about stoicism, I think it's really gave me a new perspective on how I see things in life and it has really helped me to battle against depression and loneliness.

[@thomashimmer1512]

Hi there. Same for me. What has also helped me a lot is learning about and practising mindfulness, so basically just trying to watch your thoughts (especially the negative ones) instead of identifying with them. That helps me to break the vicious circle a lot of times. Keep going and even if things seem really hard sometimes, always remember that the fact that we get to exist is truly a gift.

[@b0banna119]

@@thomashimmer1512 thank you for the advice!

[@educationalramblings6826]

When my students would see that I didn't react with anger or worry, like a lot of people do, every now and then one would ask me: "Mr h, how do you stay so calm?" My response: " if you could show me how worrying or getting upset will help me, I'll gladly do it."

[@deepsikhadeb1370]

I was worrying so much about the future that i was about to get a panic attack. Thanks to this video, now I can think clearly.

[@leofranklinn22]

These videos have been life changing for me. Stoic philosophy, taoism and Jung psychology are helping me a lot in accepting who I really am and to not worry about things that aren't in my control

[@hithertounknown1989]

Hey man. I discovered this channel and the past couple of months I have used your videos as like guided meditations before bedtime. Every day, in addition to journaling and reading your books and the original texts. It had helped a lot. Thanks.

[@peaceofmind913]

Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe. Mark Twain

[@nefertitib4313]

How true… I don’t worry abt anything that’s beyond my control… but i do have plans for when things don’t work out. Probably not perfect since there’s so many things that could go wrong, and shit happens to me all the time that I don’t even care anymore. im pretty good at solving problems or get ppl to solve it for me 😂 worrying is useless. Just focus on solving the issue at hand, that’s all u can do.

[@johnroman4608]

We worry more in imagination than reality - The Stoics

[@initakalneja6626]

I love this channel so much. It did change my mindset, life doesn't seem bad and good. It's just life. Thank you .

[@enlightenedphilosophers]

"Everything is out of control, that's true. But you can learn to have full control of yourself." - Enlightened Philosopher(Me)

[@Wkumar07]

Stoicism has changed my life for the better on so many levels. Yes, as the video above explains so clearly this isn't an easy thing to do, but one you focus yourself towards this direction you will find that so much of what we worry about is simply not worth the amount of time we put into them. Live the life you have today. Not the one you wish you could have tomorrow.

[@techkids1x]

now you should study islam.

[@Wkumar07]

@@techkids1x coincidentally, Islam is my cultural background though I am a Christian

[@Swati_1112]

I am going to print that "don't worry, every thing is out of control ' and paste it on my wall . I love stoics ♥️

[@fictionalangell]

accepting life and its outcomes put you in peace, worry does not change outcomes in most cases but in some cases it makes them worse. worry brings panic and anxiety, hence panic and anxiety brings inability to preform your basic tasks which leaves you defeated in the face of fear, worry and sorrow.

[@Possiblymaybenaw]

These always show up at the best times. I don’t often have the words and sometimes it can be difficult to refocus. These videos always puts things into proper perspective. Thank you… I still worry sometimes but I’ve noticed it’s less since I’ve been watching these clips and paying attention to the flow and quality of my thoughts. Thank you so much!

[@coweento]

I have been so depressed for almost 2 months now. I feel like giving up is the option. Thank you for your videos. I learned a lot from Stoicism. Your videos helped me on how I view life. I feel so calm and happy now. I hope you keep on creating videos like this. Thank you so much!

[@madelinee94]

wow, exactly what I needed tonight. I have a bad habit of overthinking and making things seem more worse than they are. I have also been working on my self control lately and this just got me to realise how i need to also control these negative fantasies.

[@StoicEvolution1]

"The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing." - Marcus Aurelius

[@journeysthroughtime1632]

I've recently discovered this channel. Great content! I think it is really needed in today's hectic times. You're doing absolutely amazing work!

[@vinconssier4224]

Ive detached from fear and depression thanks to your videos. I already knew how to do this, but I forgot, and you reminded me. So thank you 🙏

[@amulyamalhi]

Your videos continue to heal my mind, body and soul. Thanks Einzelganger :)

[@glory4645]

I remember asking my mother will it be okay for something, she said I don't know I can't promise that, and just like this sentence don't worry everything is out of control it gave me sense of peace. Strange thing.

[@grace7961]

Thank you for this video, as a chronic overthinker you have no idea how much this kind of mindset and mindfulness has helped me ❤

[@maryquinn6661]

I appreciate all the Truth and Wisdom! Blessings 🙏❤️

[@ailaranta2606]

All Einzelgänger videos (as well as books) are precious. But is so heartwarming to read also the comments, to realize that out there many people are seeking the same wisdom, the same peace of mind like ourselves. It gives the great feeling that regadless our solitary research we are not alone. Bless you all!

[@eylulsoydas3404]

ı watched your Marcus Aurelius videos before and I learnt great things. Now ı have just finished the book ''Meditations-Marcus Aurelis'' and now ı'm here to watch more of your videos. keep going,youre great:)💛

[@dictionplacement5467]

this needs to reach everyone. this was amazing

[@j4513]

Nowhere else on any other KZbin channel have I ever seen a comment section with such stoic and respectful discourse. So many channels essentially just feature “crap hurling“ all over the comment section.

[@allancowieLM1]

I enjoy your videos so just grabbed your book Stoicism for Inner Peace. Many thanks for the content!

[@NsA5370]

This is brilliant, thank you.This is so helpful, enlighting and so calming. will save it and get back to it whenever feeling worried.

[@sleepycattotv]

I loved this one. Very easy to listen to and follow along with. Learned a lot! Love your books too 🖤 📚

[@Johny40Se7en]

2:58 I love that sort of analogy there. It's like when we're afraid of the dark as kids, interpreting various dark shapes as monsters. But just like Kevin McCallister said about his basement "when you just turn the light on, it's no big deal". We're not time travellers, so we can't see the future, or past, but if we practised these Stoic ways more, it would be like turning a light on in moments of darkness, so to speak. Sometimes though, it's WAY easier said than done because of the amount of crap around us each day 😛😅 "Practise, makes perfect". Great video, cheers 😊

[@tzone5951]

Great video today 👍🏼 Loved it. Exactly what I needed to hear today.

[@jeremytorgersen]

Excellent video, great reminder on not worrying about external factors and outcomes. Easier said than done, but it is part of my meditation practice and worry has gradually lessened.

[@stewartbone4236]

Genius. Sometimes losing something frees you to get something better. Poor situations push you out and good ones welcome you in. The transition just needs to be accepted. I have lost (what I fid not care for) and gained (what I thought I wanted) sometimes worse, sometimes better. Maybe accepting change without expectations is better. I still worry though, yet it all worked out for decades. I look back and all the places I thought were secure have changed for the worst and would have never offered me any shelter in the long term. So I rode ahead of the wave, jumping away from trouble. Hard to believe I managed it really. Now I am nearly out of the water, a little more secure, but never safe.

[@J3tS15]

Your channel is amazing. Thank you for the work you do ❤

[@Don_Thomas_]

Such sound advice in this video...this is the mindset I think many should try to embrace

[@Bodyknowledge77]

Thanks for the non edible nutrition. It's amazing what the mind can do when we have the time. Thoughts that make you suffer that you won't leave behind. But you can't. Oh but you can. No faking, life's what you make it.

[@thomashimmer1512]

True words.

[@_..____]

I'm glad you're mentioning your book in this.

[@motivationsamuraiofficial]

I loved the way you presented your argument. You made some really compelling points!

[@Kate-qf4iv]

This is one of your best! I watched it twice. Thank you!

[@thewildrose888]

If it can't be remedied, why worry? If it can be remedied, why worry? Wise Buddhist words that i would like to find easier to live by

[@AlvaroVasquez123]

He who worries, suffers twice

[@aditishrivastava2544]

It's beautiful to watch these videos which bring about peace

[@liafuentes326]

Our brain worries as a mechanism of defense imagining things that could happen to prepare us for the worst to survive, but we need to learn that these situations might not be the case most of the time and to control our mind through the beautiful legacy of the stoics and relaxation exercises will allow us to stay healthy.

[@DisasterxUs]

Came to me right when I needed it. Thank you.

[@noseefood1943]

No expectations no disappointments

[@Lousy-Looter]

I can't say I agree with all of the quotes and philosophy put forth, but I usually come away with atleast one or two good and logical ideas that are definitely worth putting into thought and practice. Also I enjoy your speaking abilities, there's a wonderful calmness to your voice, thanks for the videos.

[@savagebeastking8703]

Some things are out of your control others are for example you can’t stop the rain but you can shelter from it

[@KEW-pd1jn]

Don’t worry everyone else is just as emotionally exhausted as we are. (Inner monologue)

[@assiduous_yogi]

I needed this right now! Thankyou 🖤

[@salvadorcastaneda6759]

Brilliant analysis and reminder of what is important and how to keep focus on what we can control -

[@user-xy8qk9gz7g]

Inspiring. Thank you for uploading 🙏🏻

[@anandsharma7430]

This channel and this video are a god send for people with GAD and OCD. Creating false shapes out of what our senses receive is an extremely apt description of somatic hallucinations in OCD. "Ants crawling" sensations, sudden forces pushing muscles, cramps, all sorts of fidgets and twitches in avoidance of unpleasant sensations. So much of mental illness is neurology rather than psychology. Also, as another comment points out - Fear is not safety.

[@Frenchylikeshikes]

I spend so much time imagining the worst it's even comical. And indeed it never happens.

[@Acoustics195]

Lots of love from Nepal

[@keralytekid]

Beautifully done.

[@TheGAMEAddict223]

Man thank you for your channel,I really like stoicism it helped me a lot in dark times

[@piedrablanca1942]

muchas gracias por tus videos, no sabes cuanto me han ayudado a sobrellevar los tiempos duros :')

[@jtgd]

Thank you for making this

[@BabeyRobins]

Thank you for your continued content

[@sagiridesu7230]

I just finished watching your "Reasons Not To Worry About What Others Think" yesterday night and now...let's gooo!!!

[@Human_Evolution-]

Good way to start off a stressful day at work (or lack thereof), thanks.

[@sondaika12]

Thank you for your videos, keep up the good work sir

[@idaloup6721]

I like the production of your videos. The content is all the more appreciable. Let's embrace our fate without worring about the futur that is already created. And not be afraid of dying because when you're not afraid to die, you're not afraid to live. I don't remember who said that but It's so true. Not always easy to practice but so true. Greetings from France 🇨🇵

[@astonishingmelanie]

So relaxing. Thank you for the lesson.

[@mohammedebaad1685]

Needed this. Thank you. 🙏✌

[@pepefroglive]

This is connected to the philosophy of self love. It's more than self love, being truly with the self is living in the present moment that you can control by yourself.

[@chaloevibes4355]

I always look forward to your videos. Thanks

[@Tourism09]

Love your videos. It helps calm down my stress recently from work and life.

[@hunterlindy]

A good lesson is to not react with any emotion no matter what it is to anything that happens to you no matter what it is. Just assume that you're on the right path and because you can't see clearly doesn't mean that you are on the wrong path

[@srikanthtupurani6316]

When there is too much pressure and fear in the mind we cannot focus on anything. Things just don't work. People with very strong nerves can handle tough situations.

[@mementomori6585]

Thank you 🙏

[@lokchucklindryfry94]

thank you very much for giving links to your book. really helpful and hope the best for you!

[@freedomworks3976]

It’s not what happens to you it’s how you react to it. How you think is everything ❤

[@scottcates]

Thank you for this.

[@405OKCShiningOn]

Yes!! Give up control. Embrace the uncertainty as uncertainty or change creates possiblities. Change worry, panic to anticipation/ excitement