I’m not sure what “part of me” needs gentleness—how do I figure that out before I start journaling?

Try a quick three-minute scan before writing: 1) Body: Where is there tightness, fatigue, or pain? Name it (“my shoulders feel braced”). 2) Mind: What thoughts keep looping? (“I’m afraid I’ll mess up the presentation”). 3) Heart: What emotion is most present—sadness, irritation, loneliness? 4) Boundaries: Where have I been saying yes when I mean no? In your Stoic entry, complete these prompts: “The part that feels most tender is…,” “It needs gentleness because…,” and “A kind response today would be….” If you’re stuck, imagine describing your day to a close friend—whatever you’d soften for them is likely what needs gentleness in you.

I hold myself to very high standards. How can I journal about softness without feeling like I’m slacking?

Reframe gentleness as strategic care that protects your standards long-term. Use this brief structure: 1) Define the standard (“I want to deliver quality work”). 2) Identify the harshness that backfires (“self-criticism drains focus”). 3) Choose a gentle action that supports performance (“a 10-minute reset so I can think clearly”). Stoic angle: focus on what’s within control—your attitudes and actions—not outcome guarantees. Write two lines in Stoic: “Gentleness that strengthens me: …” and “One boundary that preserves quality: ….” End with a compassionate cue you can repeat under stress (“Steady, not perfect”).

I feel overworked and anxious about the future—how do I actually make time for gentleness this week?

Keep it tiny and specific. Pick one 5–10 minute softness practice: slow walk, quiet tea, stretch, or writing a kind paragraph to yourself. Then create an if–then plan: “If it’s after lunch, then I’ll take a 7-minute walk.” In your Stoic journal, write: 1) When and where it will happen, 2) What you’ll do, 3) How you’ll know it helped (one sentence: “I feel 10% more settled”). At week’s end, add a short note about what worked. This turns softness into a doable routine, not another task to worry about.

Journaling Idea - On Softness.

What part of you needs the most gentleness this week?

Where do you find yourself longing for softness today? Why do you think you need it? Can you find the time to get it?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Dec 24, 2025

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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