I feel guilty taking time for myself this week. How should I journal about scheduling pleasure without feeling selfish?

Start by naming the belief (“If I rest, I’m letting people down”) and offer a kinder counter-belief (“Rest helps me show up better”). Use the Stoic idea of control: you can’t control others’ reactions, but you can choose one small, restorative action. In your entry, write a one-line permission slip: “I’m allowed 30 minutes for me on [day/time].” Then add a boundary sentence: “During that time I’ll pause email and be fully present.” If guilt pops up, note it, thank it for trying to protect you, and keep your commitment.

My mind goes blank when I try to plan enjoyable things. How can I use this prompt to pick something specific for the week?

Start with constraints—how much time, energy, and money you realistically have. Then pick from three quick lists: micro-joys (10–20 minutes: coffee in the sun, favorite song walk), medium treats (1–2 hours: museum, hobby), and deep resets (half-day: hike, long read). Choose one from each category and attach the 3Ws in your journal: What, When, Where (“Tea at 3:30pm Tue, balcony”). Add one sensory detail to make it vivid (“steam, jasmine scent”). In the Stoic app, save these as a short plan so you can revisit and refine next week.

I plan fun but don’t follow through (ADHD/overwhelm). How do I journal this so it actually happens?

Keep it tiny and friction-free. Write an if-then plan: “If it’s 7:15pm after dishes, then I’ll step outside for a 10‑minute walk with my favorite playlist.” Pre-decision beats willpower—list the first 60 seconds only (“Put on shoes, press play, step out the door”). Create a low-pressure backup: “If I miss it, I’ll do a 3-minute stretch before bed.” In Stoic, jot a quick after-action note (what worked/what to tweak) to help next week’s plan become even easier.

Journaling Idea - On Pleasure.

In the week ahead, what can you schedule just for you to enjoy?

Short spaces for a coffee, or a few hours for a hike. What can you plan to do to feel good?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Jan 25, 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.

In the week ahead, what can you schedule just for you to enjoy?

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