How do I write about a “pointless” activity without judging myself or minimizing it?

Try a quick, structured pass: 1) Set the scene: What stress, pressure, or emotion was present? 2) The side quest: What did you do that felt “pointless”? Keep it concrete (scrolling art, doodling, rearranging books, walking aimlessly). 3) Felt shift: What changed in your body or mood during/after? 4) Hidden function: What need did it meet—rest, play, control, connection, novelty, expression? 5) Outcome: What did it quietly fix (tension, overthinking, decision fatigue, loneliness)? 6) Takeaway: What principle can you reuse (e.g., “5-minute playful reset helps me choose better”)? Use today’s prompt in the Stoic app and keep the tone curious, not critical—your goal is discovery, not defense.

I feel guilty taking breaks at work. How can this prompt help me see ‘pointless’ breaks as useful instead of lazy?

Reframe them as intentional side quests that serve a function. Journal using this ladder: 1) Pressure: What expectation or fear is driving the guilt (e.g., “If I stop, I’ll fall behind”)? 2) Micro-quest: Name one tiny, seemingly pointless action (stretch, sketch, step outside, tidy one item). 3) Control check: What’s in your control now (breath, posture, one next step) vs. not (others’ opinions, total workload)? 4) Evidence: After the break, note one concrete benefit (clearer next step, calmer heart rate, kinder tone in emails). 5) Policy: Write a one-line rule you’ll test (e.g., “When I’m stuck 10+ minutes, I take a 3-minute reset”). Logging this in Stoic helps you notice patterns so guilt gives way to data.

I overthink everything—can this prompt help me experiment safely with ‘pointless’ actions to reduce anxiety?

Use a tiny experiment journal: 1) Hypothesis: “A 5-minute ‘pointless’ side quest will lower my anxiety or unlock action.” 2) Choose low-stakes action: e.g., water a plant, sort a drawer, freewrite nonsense, doodle lines. 3) Before/After check-in: Rate tension or worry (0–10) and note one body cue. 4) Debrief: What shifted—energy, clarity, mood, self-talk? 5) Rule of thumb: If benefit ≥ 1 point, it’s not pointless; it’s a tool. Repeat for a week in Stoic and summarize what kinds of side quests work best for you (movement, play, order, beauty, connection). This keeps you in action, not rumination.

Journaling Idea - On Side Quests.

When did doing something “pointless” turn out to be exactly what you needed?

What was going on in your life at the time, and what did the pointless thing fix?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Aug 29, 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.

When did doing something “pointless” turn out to be exactly what you needed?

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