How can I turn this “boredom outbreak” prompt into a structured journal entry I’ll actually finish?

Try a public-health timeline. 1) First weeks (containment): List immediate “measures” you’d roll out—curfews on doomscrolling, pop-up curiosity clinics, daily novelty dose. 2) As understanding grows (mitigation): What longer-term policies make boredom rarer—learning campaigns, community rituals, protected play time, rest hygiene. 3) Recovery/Resilience: How do you prevent future waves—skills training, variety infrastructure, social support. For each phase, jot: goal, one action, one barrier, one sign it’s working. Close by naming your personal role (minister of curiosity? urban planner of attention?). Capture it in Stoic so you can revisit and tweak your “policy” later.

How do I use this metaphor to explore control vs. acceptance around boredom without overthinking it?

Use the Stoic dichotomy of control. Create two columns: 1) Under my control (micro-measures): where I place attention, how I design my environment, how I reframe tasks, brief body movement breaks, one micro-experiment today. 2) Not in my control (macro-factors): other people’s responses, market rhythms, past outcomes. Then write a one-sentence “public message” you’d broadcast for each column (e.g., controllables: “We can redirect attention; small acts matter.” uncontrollables: “We adapt around what we can’t change.”). End with a 60-second debrief: What feeling shows up when I accept limits? What tiny choice feels lighter now? Save this reflection in Stoic as a touchstone when a new “wave” hits.

I’m busy yet bored at work. How can this prompt help me journal about that tension without trying to ‘fix’ my job?

Name the paradox: high load, low meaning—classic breeding ground for boredom. Write a “policy brief” to your inner workplace: • Surveillance: What signals tell me boredom is peaking (clock-watching, tab-hopping, irritability)? • Targeted measures: introduce 5% novelty (change sequence, setting, tool), set a curiosity question per task, timebox to reduce drift, pair once this week for social engagement. • Equity lens: What expectations or perfectionism rules make meaningful variety feel ‘not allowed’? • Communication: one sentence you’d tell your team-self: “Progress over polish today.” Close with one metric you’ll notice (energy after task, not just completion). Store the brief in Stoic and revisit after a week to reflect on what shifted.

Journaling Idea - On Boredom as Disease.

What measures would your government take to control an outbreak of Boredom?

Maybe in the first few weeks, then as we understand the disease more, what would you expect to change?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Feb 21, 2023

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 measures would your government take to control an outbreak of Boredom?

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