Reasons Not to Worry

How to Be Stoic in Chaotic Times

By: Brigid Delaney

Narrated by: Blazey Best

In this heartfelt and soul-searching work, brimming with warmth, humor, and insight, the beloved Guardian columnist spends a year exploring how to pursue a rich and meaningful life, turning to the wisdom of the Stoics for insights into the deepest questions of existence.

Like many people today, Brigid Delaney was searching for answers to timeless questions: How can we be good? Find inner peace? Properly grieve? Tame our insecurities, such as the fear of missing out? Determine what truly matters?

Centuries ago, the Stoics pondered many of these same questions. And so, at an important inflection point in her own life, Brigid decided to let these ancient philosophers be her guide. Brigid is rash where the Stoics are logical; she runs on chaos, while the Stoics relinquish control of things beyond their reach. Over the course of a year, she dedicated herself to following the wisdom of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. She hoped to discover how best to live—how she could use the wisdom of these ancient thinkers to navigate life in the modern world.

In Reasons Not to Worry, Brigid shares what she learned, showing us how we, too, can draw on the Stoics to regain a sense of agency and tranquility and find meaning in our lives. From learning to relinquish control to cultivating daily awareness of our mortality to building community, Brigid’s insights are very funny and very wise.

Stoicism can be a tough medicine to swallow, but no longer. Thoughtful, timely, surprisingly practical, and filled to the brim with ways to learn how best to be in the world, Delaney’s guide provides compelling and sensible reasons not to worry.

Extraordinary

Ancient wisdom for modern times told in the setting of a memoir. I have read several books on Greek philosophy, this one is the best by far.

Modern interpretation of stoicism

This book did a great job of using stoicism in modern day conditions for every situation you can think of.

Loved it

Very inspiring and down to earth. I look forward to putting stoicism into my every day life

Really enjoyed!

I just discovered Stoicism recently and this is a fantastic book to start. The author really brings Stocism into today and how to apply these ancient Virtues into today’s challenges.

Best stoic book I have listened to all year

What a wonderful and accessible stoic text. Nice to hear a female and modern perspective on ancient stoic philosophy.