How do I tell what I genuinely look forward to versus what I only think should make me happy?

Try a quick two-column journal. Left: “Look forward to”; Right: “Should make me happy.” 1) Brain-dump items into each column. 2) For each item, note signals: energy before/after, body cues (light/tight), and whether the motivation feels intrinsic (curiosity, meaning) or extrinsic (approval, status). 3) Add the source of the “should” (my rule, family, culture, social media). 4) Circle anything that scores high on intrinsic energy and low on external pressure—those are your true pulls toward tomorrow. 5) Pick one circled item and schedule a tiny, 10–15 minute step toward it. In Stoic, reflect on how that step felt to reinforce the difference between genuine anticipation and obligation.

What should I write if my days aren’t exciting, yet I feel I ‘should’ be happy about my career progress?

Use the prompt to unpack the ‘should.’ Journal on: 1) Whose voice says I should be happy? 2) What value of mine (growth, security, creativity, service) is or isn’t being met by this milestone? 3) Process over outcome: list one way today’s work lets you practice a value you control (e.g., learning, craftsmanship). 4) Name one small, value-aligned activity you actually look forward to tomorrow (a focused 25‑minute block on a task you’re curious about, a quiet walk after work). Capture these in Stoic so you can compare how you feel before and after; over time you’ll see patterns between obligation-driven wins and meaning-driven moments.

How can I use this prompt to ease future anxiety and stop overthinking possible outcomes?

Separate expectation from anticipation. Write: 1) Anticipation: one thing I’m gently curious to experience tomorrow. 2) Expectation audit: what result am I demanding, and what part is in my control? 3) Control move: define the smallest next step I own (send the email, outline three bullets). 4) Permission: pre-accept a reasonable range of outcomes and how you’ll respond. 5) Anchor: one present-moment reward you can look forward to regardless (a mindful coffee, a stretch break). In Stoic, check in after the day: Did the action lower anxiety? Did anticipation survive without rigid expectations? Repeat what worked.

Journaling Idea - On Looking Forward.

Is there a difference between what you look forward to and what you think should make you happy?

What makes you feel a pull toward tomorrow, regardless of whether it’s something that is expected of you or not?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Aug 2, 2026

Journal in Stoic

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Natalia Łobodzińska

Head of Content at stoic.

Natalia oversees all content inside the Stoic app — from guided journals to daily prompts. She works closely with therapists and writers to make sure every word helps users reflect and grow. She also manages translations to keep the experience thoughtful and consistent across languages.

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