Many times, unexpectedly and without any planning, life seems to push us to make big changes or start anew. However, these new beginnings can lead us to leave behind everything we once had, even part of who we were, in order to write a different story. This can be seen in migration processes, for example, but also in other life situations, such as when we lose a loved one, leave a job, or move to a new home.

In a new context, things can be different. It may happen that, if we were once respected for our work or profession, now no one knows who we are or what we know how to do. It’s possible that you no longer hear titles like “doctor,” “lawyer”, “engineer,” or any other title that you once had and were recognized for. In this sense, it is our identity that seems also to be reconfigured.

On top of this, some circumstances may force people to leave their place of origin and with it, all their belongings, including homes and vehicles. This can be painful for many, especially if they have spent much of their lives working to build significant wealth. It may be even harder if the new life they’re trying to build doesn’t offer the same opportunities or living conditions they once had.

A Stoic perspective

Why adopting a stoic attitude can help in the process of adjusting to a different life? Although this philosophy originated in Greece around 300 BCE with Zeno of Citio, today it can be very helpful in understanding what well-being is and how to live a fulfilling life. Most of the messages we receive are tied to excess and material consumption. Market giants want us to believe that the more possessions we have, the higher our status will be, and that this will help us “be someone” in society.

However, from the stoic philosophy, the message is the opposite: less means more. It’s an approach that encourages a deep reflection on life, setting aside superficiality, and embracing the inner peace that comes from letting go of all that isn’t truly necessary.

According to stoic philosophy, there’s no need to depend on accumulating material goods to experience satisfaction in life. On the contrary, the more we buy, the more we feel the need for other things because that’s what consumerism promotes: an endless chain of apparent needs we must satisfy. Even during certain times of the year, like Christmas, the campaigns are more intense, and we’re told we “need” to buy more to make ourselves and our families happy.

However, according to philosophers like Seneca and Epictetus, well-being doesn’t depend on the satisfaction of external goods, but rather on our ability to live in tranquility or ataraxia, which is a state of serenity and mental calm. Additionally, we must work to achieve eudaimonia, meaning a virtuous life, because happiness isn’t found in everything we have or might have—which will never be enough—but in who we truly are and how we face life’s circumstances.

From a stoic perspective, simplicity helps us free ourselves from all that distracts us and prevents us from living fully. Thus, stoicism teaches us to discard everything that is trivial or superfluous and learn to recognize what is truly essential. This doesn’t mean that our lives should be filled with extreme deprivation, but rather that we focus on what really holds value, like living rationally, virtuously, and practicing self-discipline.

Virtue: The path to simplicity

Virtue is a key concept in stoic philosophy, as it is the true source of well-being. But virtue isn’t just about following moral rules or seeking the approval of others; it’s about acting with moral intent and reason, cultivating remarkable qualities like courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice.

This perspective allows us to live by fundamental values, defining ourselves as humans by who we are rather than by what we have. Instead of focusing on material goods, we can experience a life richer in purpose and meaning, finding the courage to live in new settings without everything that once belonged to us, with the conviction that we are valued for who we truly are.

In this sense, true freedom is not dependent on external pressure or the immediate satisfaction of trivial desires. Our freedom is centered on our virtue and the fundamental values that genuinely define us. Living according to the need for material possessions distracts us and keeps us bound to the desire for more.

Seneca mentioned in his letters to Lucilius that wealth and luxury are, in fact, a burden in life. So today, we should focus on our personal growth, our physical and mental health, as well as cultivating good relationships that enrich us with knowledge and contribute to our inner well-being and peace of mind.