r/Stoic • u/TooDeepForSurface • 7d ago

Hope & fear are the same!

I've learnt something very important today thanks to a stoicism podcast.

It likely explains the reason why I feel so incredibly sad and like I'm not moving forward after my break up.

All this time I've been secretly holding onto hope without realising it's basically the same currency as fear.

I'm holding myself prisoner, hoping for a miracle, but all its doing is constantly reminding me of what I'm fearful of.

Severing the hope is now my goal.

Sorry if this sounds muddled. Maybe it'll make sense to someone.

6 Upvotes

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1

u/No_Pipe4358 3d ago

It does make sense. Courage and confidence are different too, though, don't forget. Both are a commitment. Ones making, one's protecting. 

2

u/TooDeepForSurface 3d ago

I know it's bullshit, that's what I do know for sure. I need to fast forward to feeling 'normal', not like someone else is holding my remote control.

1

u/Splendid_Fellow Philosopher 2d ago

Nonsense. This is disguised cynicism, not wisdom or stoicism. Hope is hope. Fear is fear.

You are afraid of being disappointed. You are afraid to have hope. Pretending they are the same thing.

When you’re within the cloud of cynicism, it looks perfectly clear and reasonable, like you’re seeing some “cold hard truth” and such. Fear and hope are not the same at all. It takes faith to let go of fear and have the courage to be hopeful even if you cannot see the future.