It’s said that time is cyclical, repeating patterns like the annual arrival of summer—though each summer is different. When I read about a young politician who succumbed to stress, this cyclical principle came to mind. The cyclical nature of time, with its recurring patterns, can be seen in the way stress has been a societal issue for nearly two decades, with cases similar to the young politician’s emerging 10–15 years ago.
Historically, stress was primarily associated with society’s most vulnerable groups—those with low incomes, the unemployed, the less educated, and the ill. However, according to media portrayals today, stress has shifted to more privileged groups. The vulnerable are still stressed, but for different reasons: they struggle for survival, while many privileged individuals experience stress and anxiety due to competition for status, power, and prestige.
This explosion of stress among the privileged coincides with the proliferation of self-help and anti-self-help books, both of which primarily target the more affluent. This has led to a new phenomenon: Stress survivors are now celebrated as modern heroes. Surviving stress has become a marker of resilience and triumph, giving rise to a divided society. One group writes about and teaches each other how to overcome stress, occasionally acknowledging the struggles of the less privileged but rarely engaging with them meaningfully.
A retrospective look at the past two decades of debate raises an important question: What came first—the diagnosis of stress or the lucrative business model built around it?
The Evolution of Stress Narratives
Stress, once linked to survival, is now a symbol of success. It signifies being busy, indispensable, and important. Media narratives often glorify individuals who overcome stress through sheer willpower, reinforcing that stress—and its subsequent recovery—defines personal worth.
However, this focus on individual stories neglects systemic factors contributing to stress, such as economic inequality, workplace culture, and societal pressure. It also celebrates an archetype of resilience that centers on ego: the person who struggles but emerges victorious, often earning praise and recognition for their journey.
The question is about why stress persists and what our stress narratives say about society. To explore this, we can turn to Aristotle’s ethical framework and Iris Murdoch’s concept of “unselfing.”
Aristotle’s Ethical Framework and Stress
Aristotle’s philosophy categorizes human behavior into four states of character:
- Excellence of Character: A person wants to act appropriately and does so effortlessly, without inner conflict.
- Strength of Will: A person desires to act inappropriately but disciplines themselves to act appropriately.
- Weakness of Will: A person desires to act inappropriately, attempts to act appropriately, but fails.
- Badness of Character: A person desires to act inappropriately, sees it as a good idea, and acts without hesitation.
Contemporary stress narratives glorify the second state, strength of will. Stories often highlight individuals who endure years of burnout or personal struggle before turning their lives around. This archetype aligns with our cultural obsession with resilience and self-improvement.
However, Aristotle would argue that true ethical excellence lies in the first state—acting virtuously with ease, driven by intrinsic motivation rather than struggle or external validation. This perspective challenges the prevailing narrative and invites us to celebrate those who consistently act in alignment with their values, not just those who triumph after adversity.
Iris Murdoch and the Ego’s Role in Stress
Philosopher Iris Murdoch adds depth to this discussion by exploring the centrality of the ego in human experience. For Murdoch, the ego often distorts our perception of reality, trapping us in self-centered narratives. Her concept of “unselfing” is the antidote: It involves transcending the ego to authentically connect with the world and others. Unselfing is the process of stepping outside our self-centered narratives and engaging with the world as it is, without the distortions of the ego.
Murdoch’s idea resonates deeply with modern stress dynamics. Stress often revolves around the ego—achieving, proving, and competing. When caught in these cycles, our focus narrows to ourselves, making it difficult to see reality clearly.
For example, consider the modern archetype of the stressed leader: someone who sacrifices well-being to achieve success, then shares their recovery story in a best-selling book. While their journey may inspire, it often reinforces the ego-driven cycle of proving and achieving.
Unselfing, in contrast, invites us to step outside our self-centered narratives and engage with the world as it is. It aligns with Aristotle’s concept of excellence of character, requiring presence, attentiveness, and the ability to act appropriately without seeking recognition.
Rethinking Stress Narratives
If we shift our focus from individual heroics to systemic solutions, we can begin to address stress more effectively. This involves creating environments where balance and well-being are the norm rather than the exception.
Systemic solutions might include the following:
- Workplace policies that prioritize mental health, such as flexible schedules and realistic workloads.
- Education that teaches mindfulness and emotional regulation from an early age.
- Leadership training that emphasizes empathy, attentiveness, and collective well-being.
Instead of celebrating stress survivors, we could celebrate leaders and communities that foster environments where stress is minimized and flourishing is possible. This shift in focus is not just a suggestion, but an inspiration for all of us to strive for better conditions. It requires moving beyond ego-driven metrics like productivity and focusing on what Aristotle called eudaimonia—a flourishing life that balances individual and collective well-being.
A New Path Forward
Stress remains a widespread phenomenon, but the narratives surrounding it need to change. Rather than glorifying individual resilience, we should create systems supporting balance, empathy, and shared well-being.
To paraphrase Aristotle: All chosen actions are intended, but not all intended actions are chosen. Let us choose actions that cultivate environments where stress is not a status symbol but a condition that can be understood, managed, and minimized for all good.