How do I explore why I cling to a habit without getting defensive in my journal?

Start with curiosity, not judgment. 1) Describe the habit in plain terms (who, when, where). 2) List what it gives you (comfort, identity, control). 3) Note costs (time, friction with others). 4) Ask, “What value does this protect?” (autonomy, creativity, calm). 5) Write a one-sentence boundary: “I keep this habit because it supports X, and I’m open to adjusting Y.” This frames the habit as value-driven while staying flexible—very Stoic: protect your virtue, adapt your tactics.

How can I tell if this habit is a core part of my identity or just stubbornness?

Try a values audit. Write two columns: A) Evidence it aligns with my values (e.g., deep work, kindness, health), B) Evidence it resists feedback. Then run three tests: 1) Replace test—could a different behavior meet the same value? 2) Stress test—does the habit hold under varied contexts or only when you’re anxious? 3) Regret test—if you kept it for 5 years, would you feel proud or stuck? Summarize in three lines: value, flexibility, next small experiment.

Someone keeps pushing me to change this habit—how do I journal about boundaries without escalating conflict?

Use the Stoic control dichotomy: what’s mine vs. theirs. In your entry, write: 1) My need (the value I’m protecting). 2) Their likely need (what they might want—efficiency, inclusion, predictability). 3) Overlap (where both needs can coexist). 4) Boundary script: “I’m keeping X because it supports Y. I’m open to Z so it works for both of us.” If you use the Stoic app, capture this script as a short note you can revisit before tough conversations to keep your tone calm and consistent.

Journaling Idea - On Old Habits Die Hard.

What’s a habit you’ve refused to change, even when someone asked you to?

Maybe it’s a quirk, a ritual, or a preference. Why is this part of you worth protecting? Why do you think would someone try to influence you to let go of this habit?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Jan 14, 2026

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.

What’s a habit you’ve refused to change, even when someone asked you to?

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