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At the heart of stoicism are virtues.

Marcus Aurelius says in meditations: If, at some point in your life, you should come across anything better than justice, honesty, self-control, courage—than a mind satisfied that it has succeeded in enabling you to act rationally, and satisfied to accept what’s beyond its control—if you find anything better than that, embrace it without reservations—it must be an extraordinary thing indeed—and enjoy it to the full.

The key isn’t to be perfectly stoic all the time. It’s to turn to stoicism when life tests us and to live life in a virtuous way ( practicing virtues) because this will benefit us and everyone around us.

We’re not perfect and I’m sure that Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus weren’t either. But as long as your trying your best to live life in a virtuous way and actually practicing philosophy rather than just reading about it, then you’ll reap the rewards.