This is not something we say lightly. This ancient wisdom has helped people lead better lives for centuries, and it will allow you to become happier, less stressed, and more fulfilled in everyday life.
Let’s explore what amor fati means as well as how it will change your entire perception of life.
It is a Latin phrase that attempts to portray the idea that accepting one’s fate is essential to living a happy life.
It is mentioning that fate is not intended in the spiritual sense. While it certainly can be, you do not need to believe in fate or a higher power to get use out of amor fati.
No matter what religion you may be or what beliefs you may have, we can all agree that we do not have complete control over our lives; things happen.
This is something we will touch on further in the next section of this article, but it’s important to know that fate does not necessarily refer to the spiritual or religious use of fate.
It simply refers to the course of events that happen in our lives.
Another important distinction that people miss about amor fati is that it is telling us to love one’s fate, not just accept it.
This is a vital distinction – it changes its meaning entirely.
Not only should we try to accept what happens to us, both good and bad, but we should try to embrace the events that play out in our lives.
This is for a few reasons.
For one, in most cases, bad events and situations usually lead to us growing as people.
Nothing is as conducive to growth than struggle and strife, and by accepting that bad times are not only necessary but also beneficial overall, it can help us deal with them better.
This isn’t just a piece of abstract philosophy. You can see it in your own life.
Think back to a time when you were in a difficult situation. While you may have struggled greatly, in all likelihood, some good came out of it.
Whether it led to you becoming more independent, coming up with a new business idea, or giving you a new sense of purpose, there was likely some good that came from any bad event you have been through.
Loving your fate is also just much better than the alternative.
What’s the point of begrudgingly accepting your fate or despising your life if it’s just going to make you miserable?
By trying to not only accept but love the things that happen to us, we become better, stronger people.
One last thing before we delve deeper into amor fati; it is worth knowing that while memento mori and amor fati are incredibly similar, they do not mean the same thing.
Many people search for “memento mori amor fati” thinking them to be one in the same, but this isn’t the case.
With all that being said; let’s take a deeper look at amor fati and explore how it can change our lives.
You Have Much Less Control Than You Think
While most of us can admit that there are some things that are not in our control, the majority of us vastly overestimate what we can influence.
For example, it is not uncommon for people to think that their health is under their control.
While we can eat healthy, exercise, and practise good hygiene, there’s always the chance that we could die prematurely or develop a life-changing illness.
There is just nothing we can do about these things.
It’s the same with wealth.
Even if you get a good job, save for your entire life, and do everything in your power to hold onto your wealth, you will be powerless if your bank collapses and you lose all of it.
In this sense, there is very little that we control.
In fact, there are only two things that we have complete control over; our actions and our motivations/beliefs in the present moment.
These two things can be influenced by other people, so some would argue that these are not under our control. But this isn’t true.
Our actions and our beliefs are always under our control.
They are untouchable by outside forces, and the only way they can be influenced is if we open ourselves up to it.
No matter what hardships you endure or what riches someone promises you – you could even get tortured; your actions and beliefs are always under your control.
Everything else we can only partially influence or have absolutely no control over. Wealth or poverty, health or illness, good looks or ugliness – these are all things that are not under control.
With so much of our lives being out of our control, things can begin to seem a little hopeless.
If good and bad things happen to good and bad people indiscriminately, surely we should hate the world and everything in it? Well, not exactly.
To put it simply; anything that is not directly under our control is neither good nor bad.
Let’s take wealth for example.
While many people view wealth as a “good” thing, this is not necessarily the case.
Wealth is known to corrupt, and in the wrong hands, it can be used to commit terrible atrocities.
It’s also worth noting that wealth is not conducive to happiness either.
There are many people out there that were way happier before they made their fortunes, meaning gaining wealth could even be considered a “bad” thing for these people.
Of course, that’s not to say that wealth is inherently bad either.
It just depends how it is used (which is determined by an individual’s actions and motivations).
This applies to everything; health, wealth, good looks – the list is endless.
You can still pursue these things if you desire – just remember not to be too ecstatic or sad when you get them/don’t get them. They are not good or bad.
Just stop putting a label on things.
These things stand outside of us – they are not able to judge or define themselves.
It is us who misguidedly judge these as good or bad.
You may think this is some slick trick to persuade ourselves that we don’t really want “good” things like health or wealth.
Let us assure you, it isn’t.
It is just the truth.
If you look at things with a logical perspective, you will see for yourself that many of the things that we label good or bad are not good or bad on their own.
They just lie their motionless, waiting for us to define them.
Another important point is that the past and the future are also entirely out of our control.
Forget the past and the future – they do not even exist. Regrets, worries, cringeworthy meetings where you embarrassed yourself – forget about them all.
The only things that matter are taking the right action and proper judgement at this very moment.
Understanding that anything outside of our control is neither good nor bad is an essential part of amor fati, and it is a truth you need to acknowledge if you want to love your fate.
Why Letting Go Helps
We have covered what amor fati is and what it means, but how can it help?
Philosophy without a practical application is absolutely pointless, and anyone who says differently does not know the true meaning of philosophy.
So, how can amor fati help us?
It can make us stronger, happier, and more grounded people.
Once you relinquish control and just accept whatever life throws at you with open arms, you will feel a wave of relief wash over you.
Embracing amor fati will make you happier on a day-to-day basis, and that goes without even mentioning its ability to vanquish anxiety and stress.
It can also allow us to deal with tough times much better; it can make us more stoic.
By loving one’s fate, rough patches will no longer seem like they are the end of the world.
Instead, you may even look at them as opportunities for growth.
Of course, that’s not to say that you will never face difficulties in life again.
Difficult times will still be difficult; it’s just that amor fati can help take the edge off a little.
There is no better explanation of this than the Nietzsche amor fati quote when he speaks on his illness:
“Amor fati: this is the very core of my being—And as to my prolonged illness, do I not owe much more to it than I owe to my health? To it I owe a higher kind of health, a sort of health which grows stronger under everything that does not actually kill it!—To it, I owe even my philosophy.… Only great suffering is the ultimate emancipator of spirit, for it teaches one that vast suspiciousness which makes an X out of every U, a genuine and proper X, i.e., the antepenultimate letter. Only great suffering; that great suffering, under which we seem to be over a fire of greenwood, the suffering that takes its time—forces us philosophers to descend into our nethermost depths, and to let go of all trustfulness, all good-nature, all whittling-down, all mildness, all mediocrity,—on which things we had formerly staked our humanity.”
Nietzsche
While this quote and Nietzche’s perspective in general does differ from the stoic point of view (being that stoic’s would never advise someone to let go of their good nature, and instead, they would encourage it), it does act as a great example of someone embracing amor fati during a difficult time.
You yourself are bound to be put in a similar situation at some point or another.
Eventually, we all succumb to illness, and knowing how to deal with it can help you become stronger in life.
From increasing happiness to reducing anxiety and stress, relinquishing control and embracing amor fati is going to change your life for the better.
How To Practise Amor Fati in The Real-World
Knowing what amor fati is and why embracing it can bring about positive change is a good first step; but without actually practising it in the real-world, all of your time will have been wasted.
Agreeing with amor fati is one thing, but practising it is another thing entirely.
Truth be told; it can be hard to embrace amor fati.
Throughout our entire lives we have been told that certain things are good or bad and that we have control of our own lives, so it can be difficult to uproot these false ideas.
In fact, once you first begin delving into amor fati, you might even find the idea to be a little depressing.
The thought of not having any control over anything and loving all life events both good and bad can seem terrifying, and this is why very few people embrace amor fati to the fullest extent.
This is even more so the case when it comes to topics like death and illness. Sometimes, it can even feel wrong to embrace amor fati.
However, you have to realise that embracing amor fati is just going to allow you to have a better life.
Instead of trying to control everything, just let go and stop worrying.
You can still work towards things you want to achieve – just do so with a different perspective.
On top of this, the next time something “bad” happens to you, remember that it isn’t truly bad. The event or situation stands outside of you; it is you who is judging it and deeming it as bad.
By embracing amor fati and accepting that “bad” things are not only necessary for the world, but good for it (there would be no good without bad), you will be better able to deal with the ups and downs of life.
This even applies to the small things – the next time you drop a glass or spill a drink on yourself, try to remember amor fati.
We hope this article will be of use to you.
The stoic amor fati could help so many people live better lives, and if information about amor fati was abundant, we have no doubt that the world would be a happier place.
Whether you got here by searching “amor fati Blondie” or “amor fati Nietzsche” makes no difference – it doesn’t matter who you heard it from, the power of amor fati remains the same.
Moreover, how you choose to embrace amor fati is completely up to you. You do not need to get an amor fati pendant or tattoo to prove that you follow this philosophy – simply embrace it in your everyday life.
If you would like to read more about stoicism or amor fati feel free to check out the rest of our content at MovingForwards.
