How can I use today’s prompt to map my stress habits without judging myself?

Try a quick, compassionate scan of your last three stressful moments. In Stoic, jot bullets for each: 1) Cue: what happened or what you felt in your body, 2) Behavior: what you did (e.g., overworking, scrolling, withdrawing), 3) Comfort: the safety or relief it gave you (numbing, control, belonging), 4) Cost: what it took from you (time, energy, connection), 5) Control check: which parts were in your control and which weren’t. End with one sentence of self-kindness: “This pattern once protected me; I’m learning from it.” No fixing—just clear seeing.

I tend to people‑please or shut down when I’m overwhelmed. What should I journal to understand the safety those give me?

Use sentence stems to explore function, not blame: 1) “When I feel pressure, I usually ___.” 2) “This helps me feel safe because ___.” 3) “I first learned this mattered when ___.” 4) “In the moment, I’m afraid that if I don’t ___, then ___.” 5) “Short term it gives me ___; long term it costs me ___.” 6) “What I actually need when I’m stressed is ___.” Writing these in Stoic keeps it brief and focused, and surfaces the need (safety, approval, predictability) your habit tries to meet.

What Stoic lens can I use to reflect on old habits like perfectionism or doomscrolling?

Apply three quick lenses: 1) Control: list what’s yours to influence vs. what isn’t; notice if the habit chases what’s uncontrollable. 2) Virtues: ask which virtue the habit serves or undermines (wisdom, courage, temperance, justice). 3) Time horizon: note the immediate relief vs. the longer-term effects on your values. In Stoic, write one line per lens. Close with a compassionate reframe: “Even if uncertainty remains, I can practice courage in this one next step.”

Journaling Idea - On Old Habits Die Hard.

What old patterns do you fall back into when you’re stressed?

When life gets overwhelming, which familiar behaviors resurface? What comfort or safety are they providing?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Jan 15, 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 old patterns do you fall back into when you’re stressed?

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