How do I write a thank‑you note to a really tough year without sounding fake or toxic‑positive?

Keep it honest and specific. 1) Start with truth: “Last year was hard because…” 2) Thank concrete elements, not the pain itself: a lesson learned, a strength noticed, a person or small routine that helped. 3) Use a simple structure: Opening (“Dear last year…”), three thank‑yous (Lesson, Support, Strength), and a closing intention (“I’ll carry this forward…”). 4) Keep it short—5–10 minutes, bullet points are fine. In Stoic, title an entry “Thank you, last year” and list three specific thank‑yous, then one intention. Authentic beats upbeat.

What if last year was traumatic or full of loss—how can I express gratitude without minimizing what happened?

Use protective gratitude. You don’t have to thank harm. Try a two‑column page: Left—“What happened” (facts, brief). Right—“What I can thank” (your response, helpers, skills gained, boundaries learned). Include neutral anchors (sunrises, a stable habit, moments of relief). Close with a supportive line: “I won’t romanticize the pain, but I’m grateful for how I kept going.” In the Stoic app, you can journal with this two‑column idea by writing headers and short lists. Pause if emotions spike; return when ready.

I’m anxious about the new year—how can this gratitude letter help me feel more in control going forward?

Use it to sort controllable vs. uncontrollable (a Stoic principle). In your note: 1) Name one uncontrollable from last year and release it: “Thank you for showing me what I cannot manage.” 2) Name three controllables you practiced (effort, routines, how you spoke to yourself). 3) Turn each into a carry‑forward line: “I will continue to…” This reframes anxiety into agency. Save the entry in Stoic and reread when worry spikes to remind yourself what you can do next.

Journaling Idea - On New Years.

Can you write a thank-you note to the last year?

Despite difficulty and hardship, how would you thank last year in an exercise of active gratitude?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Jan 15, 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.

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