Look inward, not outward.
In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius comes back to this idea over and over again. Look inward, not outward. Don't complain. Don't meddle in the affairs of others. When you see someone acting objectionably, remember when you have acted that way.
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The Stoic is too busy improving themselves to waste time criticising others.
By separating what we can control from what we can't, it becomes clear that only our choices, deeds, words and thoughts deserve our focus. Everything else concerns other people, not us.
Never be overheard complaining. Not even to yourself.
TRY THIS TODAY
Go one full day without complaining, out loud or in your head. Each time you slip, swap the complaint for one thing you can do about it.
Much of what I've learned about Stoicism comes from Ryan Holiday. Find more of his writing at dailystoic.com and ryanholiday.net.
While I have edited much of this content, there are some cases where I have taken Ryan Holiday's words directly. I've included them because I think they are powerful and will be helpful for you. They are also helpful for me, and I've put them here so I can learn and understand more myself.
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