Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Dear reader,

The world is noisy. Teams, tribes, likes, shorts and clickbait.

Your mind wants to pick a side. The algorithm wants a reaction.

You don’t owe either one anything, and you don’t have to decide right away.

Marcus Aurelius learned not to be pulled into the crowd mentality, to not be swept away by the mob.

He reminds us of a simple freedom: you can choose to have no opinion, for now.

This is not silence forever. It is a short pause that protects your peace when something isn’t yours to steer.

He said;

“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control… Leave them alone.”

Two teachings. One move.

- Do not get swept into picking one side over another

- Do not join every argument

A lot of the time neutrality is not apathy. It is discipline.

It gives you a little space inside, and in that space you can choose what deserves your attention and what can pass like weather.

Not my circus, not my monkeys

I heard this phrase from Tim Ferris. It’s a Polish proverb and it fits Stoicism well.

Think of it as the Control Filter in plain language. Before you jump in, ask three questions:

- Is this within my control?

- Is this my role or duty?

- Is this my circle of competence?

If the answer is yes, engage with virtue.

If the answer is no, let it go. Not my circus. Not my my monkeys.

Save your energy for what is clearly yours.

A small scene

You open your phone. A scandal is trending. Opinions stack up. It feels like choosing a side will give you control.

Pause.

Ask: What, here, is mine?

- A duty to someone in your care? Maybe.

- A vote or a civic step? Perhaps.

- A hot take to feed an algorithm? Probably not.

Put the phone down.

- Walk with someone who matters.

- Return to your craft.

- Pick the phone up again but make the call you’ve been avoiding

The world will stay loud, but act consciously, and do the next meaningful thing and your day will becomes quieter and more deliberate.

Guardrails

- Who wants your outrage, your attention, and why?

- If it is not yours, let it go.

- If it is, choose the stance. Act with wisdom, justice, courage, or temperance—or step aside.

- Close the loop. Use the saved energy for one concrete action now.

Remember: you have agency. If it's not up to you, you can choose not to engage.

Not your circus, not your monkeys.

Thank you for reading

With gratitude,

David

P.S.

I like to wear my reminders. I like this quote. If you do too. Grab a T.

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