How do I journal the “end” of a strong emotion in my body without overthinking it?

Try a simple three-step check-out. 1) Locate: Close your eyes and ask, “Where do I feel it now?” Note the single strongest spot (chest, throat, gut, jaw). 2) Track: Write 3 short lines in Stoic describing how that spot changes for 60–90 seconds—words like pulsing, cooling, loosening, empty, heavy. 3) Name the last note: When the intensity drops below a 3/10, capture the final trace: “last sensation = cool exhale in chest,” “final twitch in eyelid,” or “heat turned to warmth.” If you’re unsure, write the first and last thing you notice; the difference is the “ending.” Keep it sensory (temperature, pressure, movement) rather than story (why it happened).

What if the emotion never seems to end and just lingers as anxiety? How should I journal that?

Redefine “end” as a shift, not a disappearance. In your Stoic entry, use four quick lines: 1) Peak cue: “Fast heart, 7/10.” 2) Turning point: “Breath lengthened, shoulders dropped.” 3) Last sensation of the intense wave: “Heat became neutral warmth.” 4) Aftermath (residue): “Tired, slight jaw buzz.” The wave ends; the residue remains. If nothing shifts, write: “No change noticed” and time-box for one minute. The act of noticing is the practice. Over days, look for the smallest repeatable signals of the wave ending—often a yawn, deeper exhale, or a brief urge to stretch.

How can I use this prompt to understand work stress or fear of failure in a practical way?

Tie the body to the story with a quick “Before–Peak–Last” map. In Stoic, write: • Before: Trigger (“Email from manager”) + baseline body (“neck 3/10 tight”). • Peak: One-line snapshot (“stomach drop, breath shallow, 8/10”). • Last: The final fading cue (“warmth cools in chest, 4/10”) + urge that follows (“want to re-check inbox”). Then add two reflections: 1) Controllable vs. not: one thing you can do (prepare notes) and one you’ll accept (others’ opinions). 2) A value to carry forward (curiosity, diligence, kindness). This keeps the focus on embodied cues as early warnings and anchors your next step in values, not fear.

Journaling Idea - On Embodied Emotions.

Where does a strong emotion end?

We might feel a flush in the face, a rush in our chests, a heat… but when it’s done, what’s the last sensation?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Feb 23, 2022

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.

Where does a strong emotion end?

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