The Sunday Stoic: On facing fears while having fun

Last week was all about Halloween—costumes, candy, and a bit of spooky fun. Whether you took your kids trick-or-treating, dressed up for a party, or handed out candy, I hope it brought some joy to your household. Each year, a typical American family spends around $30 on candy and even more on costumes, from monsters to superheroes - just for this one evening. But have you ever wondered why we celebrate a holiday centered on our fear of the unknown? Could a little fun help us face our fears? Perhaps Halloween offers some practical lessons on how to approach life's ups and downs.

Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated over 2,000 years ago in Ireland and Scotland. Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. The Celts believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and spirit worlds blurred, allowing spirits to roam the earth. People lit bonfires to protect themselves, and wore costumes hoping to blend in with the spirits. One well-known Samhain tale is of the fire-breathing Aillen, who would lull everyone to sleep with his music, until the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill stayed awake and defeated him with a magical spear. Over time, these ancient traditions merged with All Saints' Day, evolving into the Halloween we know today.

Halloween is a time when we use costumes to deal with things that scare us. This mirrors the Stoic idea of phantasia, which suggests that our perception shapes our experience. In the history of medicine, for example, early doctors often faced diseases they didn’t understand, like the plague. Their costumes with terrifying beak-like masks might have seemed intimidating, but they were actually intended as protection. These masks, filled with herbs, allowed them to confront illness around them with some sense of control. Similarly, in real life, people often wear their own 'costumes'—acting tough or intimidating. But once you get to know them, they're usually not so scary. Beneath these costumes, we’re all just ordinary people, mostly seeking safety, appreciation, and relevance.

Halloween reminds us that change often requires putting on a new costume. As the weather cools and nights grow longer, we can’t control the seasons, but we can don a costume to make the best of the chilly evening. Stoic philosophy teaches us to focus on what we can control and let go of the rest. A great example from Roman history is Cincinnatus (519–430 BC), a Roman statesman who had turned to farming after serving as consul. In 458 BC, when Rome faced a crisis, Cincinnatus "donned the costume" of a general, led Rome to victory, and relinquished power just 16 days later. Shunning the perks of new-found power, he returned to his farm, embodying civic duty. In 1790, Cincinnati, Ohio, was named after him to honor his life and leadership. Like Cincinnatus, we can take on new roles when needed and return to our lives when the task is done.

Halloween reminds us that life doesn’t last forever. Skeletons, ghosts, and tombstones playfully hint that our time is limited. This ties into the Stoic idea of memento mori— politely translated to “Remember, you will not live forever.” It’s not meant to frighten us, but to encourage us to focus on what matters now. We often say, “I’ll do it later,” but as Seneca (4 BC–65 AD) said, “Let us postpone nothing.” A story about Alexander the Great (356–323 BC) claims that, after conquering much of the known world, he asked that his hands be left visible during his funeral procession to show that, despite his power, he ran out of time and left this world empty-handed. Though likely a legend, the message is clear: time is finite. Halloween urges us to act now, because, like a ghost, time can vanish before we know it.

In closing, as the Halloween decorations finally come down (and you’re still finding candy wrappers everywhere), it’s a good time to think about the holiday itself. First, while the unknown can seem intimidating, Halloween shows us that with a little curiosity—it’s not so scary after all. Second, we don’t need all the answers right away. Sometimes, what’s lurking in the shadows is just your next best friend. And lastly, don’t put off what matters. Much like leftover Halloween candy, time can disappear faster than you think—especially when you thought you'd saved that last Snickers for later. I hope you have a great week ahead.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this essay are mine alone and don’t represent those of any individuals, employers, or organizations I’m associated with. Studying Stoicism and other philosophies is a personal hobby that I pursue in my own time to improve my thinking. I’m not a professional writer or illustrator, so I’ve used some online tools, to help illustrate and express my thoughts more clearly. My goal is simply to share ideas, not to impress. I don’t claim to be more knowledgeable than others—we’re all figuring things out on our own. If you have thoughts on how Stoicism applies to everyday life, I’d love to hear from you via LinkedIn. If you found this essay useful, feel free to share it with others