How can I journal about holiday stress without spiraling into overplanning or perfectionism?

Try a short, structured entry: 1) Name it: write a quick list of what’s on your mind about the holidays. 2) Sort it: split the list into “within my control” and “outside my control.” 3) Choose one small next step from the “control” side that’s good-enough, not perfect. 4) Reframe expectations: write one sentence replacing “should” (e.g., “I should host perfectly”) with “I prefer/plan” (e.g., “I plan a simple gathering”). 5) Close with self-kindness: jot two supportive lines you’d say to a friend. In Stoic, use today’s prompt to keep entries brief and focused—consistency helps calm the urge to overdo.

What thought patterns should I look for as I prepare for winter holidays, and how do I capture them in my journal?

Scan your thoughts for common holiday traps: • All-or-nothing thinking (“If one thing goes wrong, it’s ruined”). • People-pleasing (“I must keep everyone happy”). • Time-traveling (dwelling on past holiday disappointments or catastrophizing future ones). • Financial pressure stories (“My gifts define my worth”). • Social battery blind spots (overcommitting). In your entry, note: 1) Trigger (what sparked the thought), 2) Automatic thought (the exact sentence), 3) Feeling + intensity (e.g., “anxious, 6/10”), 4) A balanced alternative (“Even if plans change, parts can still be meaningful”), 5) One boundary or adjustment. Using Stoic, return to this same structure across a few days to spot patterns.

I get lonely around the holidays—how can I use this prompt to prepare emotionally, not just log tasks?

Center your entry on connection and care: 1) Map your “support menu”: 3 people, 3 places, 3 activities that feel grounding (calls, walks, a warm drink). 2) Plan micro-rituals for tough moments (light a candle at dusk, write a 3-line reflection, step outside for 5 breaths). 3) Draft a kind note to yourself you can revisit on hard days. 4) Identify one way to contribute meaningfully (a small act of kindness or volunteering hour), which can soften loneliness. In Stoic, keep these lists handy by revisiting the prompt and updating your menu and rituals as the season unfolds.

Journaling Idea - On Winter Holidays.

What do you do to prepare for winter holidays?

If you want, this could be admin, but what about mental preparation? Do you have any thought patterns that you only notice in the lead up to winter holidays?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Dec 31, 2021

Journal in Stoic

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Zach Beauvais

Writing & User Experience

Zach helps stoic design experiences for mental and emotional wellness, creating guided meditations, mindful walks, and journaling prompts rooted in Stoic philosophy. He also serves as Marketing Director at Cornell’s ILR School, where he helps leaders clarify their purpose and turn ideas into content that engages students, faculty, and collaborators. With over 15 years of experience in storytelling, community building, and content strategy, Zach brings both creativity and clarity to his work. Outside of writing and strategy, he enjoys photography, making coffee, and carving spoons, bowls, and cups from green wood.

What do you do to prepare for winter holidays?

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