When I was studying in London, I had to speak publically at a symposium. I was working towards my MA and I was researching how communication design help us understand and apply philosophy, specifically Stoic philosophy, to daily life.
On the day I had to speak about my research. I was very nervous. However, I knew that I could ease my dramatic fear with the very philosophy I was going to talk about: Stoicism.
I remembered Marcus Aurelius’ idea of having power over my own mind and not over outside events. I knew I had the power to give the best talk I could but I had no power over what people would think of me and my research talk.
Accepting this dichotomy dissolved my fear and I was able to focus on the talk itself.
I also reminded myself of the importance of the self and how challenging moments are opportunities to train self peace and virtue.
Through design, literature, painting, and songwriting, I focus on bringing philosophy closer to daily life and sharing story tales with meaningful narratives.
And this is my #PathsToFlourishing space: An old monastery close to the city where I live, where I go from time to time to spend a few days with my dogs, reading, thinking and connecting with myself.
I’m Rocío de Torres Artillo and this is my #PathsToFlourishing story.
Rocío de Torres Artillo is the digital product designer and multidisciplinary artist who is behind much of the visual branding of Modern Stoicism. She will be speaking on creativity and Stoicism at the Stoicon-x Women: Practical Paths to Flourishing. Connect with her on Instagram and visit her website.
This is a #PathsToFlourishing story published as part of a series of stories inspired by the Stoicon-x Women 2021 theme: Practical Paths to Flourishing.
Paths to Flourishing 