The Stoicism Workbook: How the Wisdom of Socrates Can Help You Build Resilience and Overcome Anything Life Throws at You

by Scott Waltman

“ To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
—Socrates What’s the secret to lasting happiness? How do you gain the resilience needed to weather life’s inevitable storms? What can you do when you’re feeling anxious, depressed, stressed, or burned out by life? For ancient philosophers like Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Zeno, and Epictetus, these questions were more than mere musings—they were key elements of a school of thought called Stoicism. In The Stoicism Workbook , you’ll learn how thinking like Socrates—and using the Socratic method of questioning or self-inquiry—can help you identify what truly matters in your life, and build the resilience needed to go out and get it! Combining ancient philosophical wisdom with modern psychology, this practical self-help workbook will help you think flexibly, maintain inner peace, adapt to difficult situations, and improve your overall mental health and well-being. You’ll also discover how the core Stoic virtues—wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance—can be your compass as you navigate an increasingly uncertain world. Stoicism isn’t about being emotionless in the face of pain or suffering. It’s about giving yourself space for reflection before reacting. It’s about seeing opportunities in everyday challenges, which in turn makes you stronger and more resilient. It’s about wielding the power to decide to what extent sadness, pain, and anger affect you. These are the keys to lasting happiness. Let this workbook guide you to learn more, and put this ancient wisdom into practice every day.

Genres: Psychology, Philosophy

200 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2024

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

We move.

[Enda Harte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some things are in our control. Some things are not. And some books actually help you remember the difference. Every so often a book comes along that feels less like something to read and more like something to live inside. That’s what The Stoicism Workbook offers.

I've sat with this workbook for months, and took my time with it, so I could actually learn more about myself. It does what few others manage: it makes the ancient wisdom we know usable. It’s not 200 pages of waffle padded with quotes from long dead philosophers.

It’s an evidence-informed manual that blends Stoic/Socratic philosophy with modern CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), amongst other types of therapy. And offers dozens of structured, practical exercises, with short history lessons on your favourite Philosophers.

Think of your favourite Stoic or Philosopher, meeting a licensed therapist. You’re not just reading about values; you’re asked to live them on paper, and then out loud. The authors don’t just talk at you, they show you how to challenge automatic thoughts, examine your values, pause your reactions, and develop the virtues the Stoics bled ink over.

We practicing Stoics often repeat the catchy lines from our favourite authors:

“It’s not things that upset us, but our judgements about things.”

Easy to say. Not so easy to believe when your child has drawn on the wall again, your car won’t start, or your phone buzzes with some text that shatters your weekend plans.

What this workbook does excellently is drag that quotes like this and say: Right. Here’s exactly how to challenge that judgement. Here’s the psychological backed framework. Here’s the method for breaking down what’s true, what’s helpful, and what’s habit.

And they don’t just leave it there. They give you space to write, and be honest with yourself. Let me say something plainly: The Stoicism Workbook is not just for philosophers. It’s therapy in disguise.

I believe The Stoicism Workbook isn’t for everyone. It’s for the ardent practitioners, not for those who want a quick quote to post, or a few pages to feel clever about on the morning commute.

This book is for those who want to train their mind like they train their body, and for those who’ve finally realised that inner peace doesn’t come from avoiding hardship; but from facing it with a steady mind.

And if you’re one of those people? Then this book may be the single most useful modern Stoic text you’ll ever own.

[Brian White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical

This is definitely a book I would recommend going through more than once in order to start incorporating the insights and techniques based on Stoic philosophy and the Socratic method

[Robert Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary and/or refresher

Great intro for the beginner to understand the depth and breadth of Stoicism. Perfect refresher for those further down the road n their studies..

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource. Challenging in a supportive way. It deepened my Stoic practice.

[Ian Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Authors/contributors to this book put a lot of time and care into making sure this was easy to read, easy to incorporate, and provide understanding with each activity. I have had the book since release and wanted to make sure I could provide feedback in an effective manner. I have used this with my clients and found that the activities provide guidance and provoke thoughtful alternatives that adhere to the CBT model while also channeling the great philosophers theories. If you are stepping into the world of CBT and need guidance while also wanting to explore stoicism, then this is the book for you!