The Sunday Stoic: On Life and Livelihood

Today, let's talk about two aspects of life: making a living and truly living. Making a living involves work, skills, and striving for success, while truly living is about enjoying the the things that bring you joy outside- other interests, hobbies, or relationships. Nowadays, the line between making a living and truly living can blur. For instance, imagine you’re a successful businessperson with a packed calendar. This morning, an old college friend reached out, letting you know he's in town and if you can meet him over coffee. Now ask yourself: Can you clear a few minutes from your schedule to connect with him? If not, ask yourself again: Do you own the business, or does the business own you? Sometimes, we climb the ladder only to neglect our health or family. In moments like this, Stoic philosophy reminds us to reflect on what truly matters.

The word "livelihood" comes from the Old English word "līflād," meaning "course of life." In Spanish, it's "sustento"; in German, "Lebensunterhalt"; and in Hindi, "???????" (rojgaar). Essentially, it's what we do to keep ourselves afloat. Picture someone working a 9-to-5 job or running a small business to support their family—that's their livelihood. Our livelihood gives us a role in society because we get to do something. Now, making good livelihood choices based on our skills, interests, and market needs is essential. Take Bob the Baker, for example. His love for baking started in his childhood. As he grew older, he developed habits that made him an excellent baker: meticulous attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and a genuine love for creating something enjoyed by others. Bob's profession shapes how he sees himself and how others see him—flour-covered but proud of what he does each day.

The word "life" comes from Old English "līf," meaning existence. In Spanish, it's "vida"; in German, "Leben"; and in Hindi, "????" (jeevan). How is it different from livelihood? Let's go back to Bob. At home, Bob is a loving family man, an active community volunteer, and a passionate gardener. Every weekend, he invites friends over for a meal, sharing laughter and stories. He volunteers at the city's botanical garden, sharing his love for nature. Each summer, he sets aside a week for a family vacation, traveling to immerse in different cultures. Bob is a regular at local city council meetings, staying engaged with his community. Bob knows that dwelling on past mistakes is like trying to sell a spoilt cake. So, while Bob is a baker at work, his life is flavored with family, friends, hobbies, and community. In other words, he finds purpose in his bakery and has a life beyond its walls.

Failing to balance livelihood and life often leads to burnout. The term "burnout" was coined in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, describing a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Let's revisit Bob's earlier mistake. When he was young, he aspired to match his neighbors, the Joneses, who owned five hardware stores. To keep up with the Joneses, Bob took out large loans to buy equipment and rented four additional locations, managing everything himself to save money. However, unlike the Joneses, who grew their business over ten years, Bob tried to accomplish the same in just a few weeks. This rush pulled him away from his hobbies, relationships, and volunteering. With a heavier workload and declining product quality, Bob soon realized he was on a hamster wheel—busy but unfulfilled and burnt out.

To bounce back from burnout and enjoy life, consider Stoic philosophy. You can aim for eudaimonia, or true happiness, by doing what you love. For Bob, that meant improving his baking and business skills, not keeping up with the Joneses. Within a year, he scaled back to two bakeries to prioritize quality over quantity. Embracing "amor fati" (love of fate), he found joy in life's ups and downs. Practicing "autarkeia" (self-reliance), Bob worked "on" his business rather than "in" it. Did he give up on expanding? No, he simply changed his approach. Instead of trying to do everything himself, he hired a professional manager. His bakeries thrived, eventually expanding from two to twenty locations. With his success, he reconnected with friends, returned to his hobbies, and participated in his community. When he retired, he did so with grace. With a smile on his face and flour in his hair, Bob knew he still had a fulfilling life and a full calendar ahead of him

In Indic philosophy, there's this idea of "????" (sadhan) and "?????" (sadhya). ???? is about our means of livelihood, while ????? is the goal of living a productive life. The real trick is using the right means (sadhan) to achieve the right purpose (sadhya). Take Bob, for example. He used his profits (sadhan) to hire a skilled manager, realizing that a day is too short to handle everything himself. By relying on experts, he could grow his business (sadhya). He thought, "What good is your money if you can't sleep at night?" By investing in the best talent, he ensured long-term success. Bob also practiced "?????" (samatva), staying cool through life's ups and downs, and embraced "??????" (anitya), living in the present without worrying too much about temporary successes or failures. It's easy to confuse means and purpose in our busy lives, like focusing so much on baking the cake that we forget to eat it.

In closing, our livelihood and life can work together harmoniously. Here are some suggestions: First, while climbing life's ladder, remember to pause and enjoy the view, practicing ataraxia (a calm mindset). You will see that on a whole, you are always making some progress. Second, consider making choices that align with your true skills, not someone else's expectations—embracing eudaimonia (a fulfilling life according to you and not others). If possible, pursue a hobby or two that bring you joy, like writing or gardening, even if they don’t contribute to your livelihood. Finding joy in daily routines and accepting life's ups and downs (amor fati) can help maintain long-term balance. For instance, this week, appreciate the simple pleasure of morning coffee without going through your newsfeed; live in the moment. If we balance work and life like Bob the Baker, we can bake bread for others and still savor our sandwich.

The views expressed in this essay are solely mine and do not represent those of any individuals, employers, or organizations with which I may be associated. While I'm not an expert on Stoicism, I spend time studying it to think more critically. I'm not a professional writer, so I might have used online tools to illustrate ideas and make some parts clearer. My goal is to communicate ideas, not impress. If you have any thoughts on how Stoicism and daily life could work together, please share through LinkedIn messaging. If you found this essay helpful, feel free to "repost" or send the link to others.