Personal Essay About Misfortunes

Tristan, I know you have been going through a rough time. I am so sorry about all the misfortunes you have in your life right now, and I know I can’t help you with your struggles, but I’m here for you, and I believe that I can help you view your misfortunes in a new way.

First of all, I’m sorry you lost your job. I know it was very important to you. However, you should not be upset about it, because the philosopher Montaigne believed that the fear of losing things led to anxiety and and despair. Instead, you should use this opportunity to find a new job that you will feel secure in, and stop mourning what you don’t have anymore. Montaigne says, “For what, said I, if I should be surprised by such or such an accident?” meaning that you have no control over your lost job, and therefore you shouldn’t be upset about it.

Speaking of things you have no control over, I

I think you should beat him to it and break up with him, because all he will bring you is suffering, and he doesn’t deserve you anyways. Schopenhauer agrees with me. He says, “I may mention...a man is committed to a particular arrangement which drives him obstinately to choose one person. This feeling grows, now and then, into a more or less passionate love, which is the source of little pleasure and much suffering.” According to this philosopher, your boyfriend does not bring you happiness or fulfillment, and instead brings you suffering. I know you like him because he makes you feel less lonely, but Aristotle and Epicurus believe that friends are a cure to loneliness that make you feel happy and fulfilled. In fact, Epicurus was such a strong believer in happiness associated with friendship that he built a cabin and lived with all of his friends to make himself feel joyful. Aristotle and Epicurus would recommend that you gather with all your friends and use their company to make yourself feel better about your impending