I draw a blank—how do I notice “gentle” moments so I can answer this prompt?

Start small and sensory. Scan a typical day and ask: When did my breath slow? When was the light soft (dawn, dusk)? When did noise drop (after lunch lull, late evening)? Check yesterday’s calendar or photos for clues—commutes, coffee breaks, or walks often hide gentle pockets. In Stoic, list 3 tiny scenes (e.g., “steam from tea at 4 pm,” “quiet desk at 7 am,” “cool air on the porch at night”). Pick one and write what you saw, heard, and felt. If nothing comes, imagine the gentlest five minutes you could reasonably have, then capture the ingredients—this still teaches your brain what to look for tomorrow.

How can I use this prompt to ease work stress and overthinking during the week?

Map patterns. Note which times consistently feel softer (early Mondays before meetings, midweek evenings, Sunday mornings, first 15 minutes after logging off). In Stoic, write a quick “gentle slots” list and tag one small ritual for each slot (sip water without screens, 3 slow breaths by a window, a five-sentence journal check-in). Protect one slot per day as a boundary. Stoic principle: prioritize what’s within your control—how you start or end transitions. Let those gentle windows anchor your day, so decisions happen from calm, not urgency.

I feel guilty slowing down. How do I journal about softness without judging myself or feeling unproductive?

Use neutral language: replace “I should relax” with “My body felt softer at 9 pm in dim light.” Describe facts, not verdicts. Link softness to values: “Gentle evenings help me focus tomorrow.” Keep entries brief (3 lines) to reduce pressure. Try a compassionate reframe from Stoicism: tranquility supports wise action. In Stoic, write one sentence each for time, cue, and effect (e.g., “Early sunlight + quiet kitchen = easier mood”). You’re not escaping work—you’re cultivating the steadiness that lets you meet it well.

Journaling Idea - On Softness.

What times of day, week, or year feel the gentlest to you?

Maybe there was a moment recently, even a small, unexpected one, when you felt softness? What was happening around you then?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Dec 28, 2025

Journal in Stoic

HowTo=target

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to learn moreabout emotions?

Find hundreds of quotes, affirmations, lessons, guided journals, and so much more in stoic.

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.

What times of day, week, or year feel the gentlest to you?

Join the Minimal Newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you think about this?

How do you think about this?

How do you think about this?

Looking to learn moreabout emotions?

More prompts on On Softness