How do I figure out which part of my life needs a gentle detour without feeling like I’m giving up?

Try a quick scan: 1) List top three areas creating pressure (work, relationships, health, money). 2) For each, note what’s within your control vs. what’s not (a core Stoic move). 3) Look for signs of strain: dread, constant tension, avoidance, irritability. 4) Pick the area where a tiny shift would reduce the most pressure this week. 5) Define a “1-degree” detour, not a U‑turn (e.g., fewer meetings, later start once a week, 10-minute walk, one honest conversation). 6) Set a short experiment window (7–14 days) and measure by ease, energy, and clarity, not perfection. In the Stoic app, journal before/after your experiment to notice what pressure eases and which possibilities appear.

Work is stressing me out. What does a small, realistic detour look like that isn’t just quitting?

Think friction reduction, not escape. Options: • Boundary tweak: block one deep-focus hour daily, no emails. • Scope nudge: clarify success criteria for one project to cut rework. • Energy swap: replace one low-value task with a learning or meaningful task weekly. • Pace reset: a “quiet half-day” for admin once a week to regain control. • Perspective check-in: weekly note on what went well and what you influenced. Choose one, set a start/stop date, and track two metrics: pressure (1–10) and energy (1–10). If pressure drops even 1 point, you’re detouring well. Use the Stoic app to log the change and reflect on what felt lighter.

I’m overthinking possible outcomes. How can I use this prompt to pause the spiral and spot new options?

Try a two-column journal: Left: “Straight-ahead path” (the default you’re forcing). Right: “Gentle detour.” Write one step you can do today that reduces pressure by 10% (ask for clarity, delay a decision 24 hours, simplify scope, choose a good-enough option). Then run the Stoic-style check: • Best case? • Worst case? • Most likely? • What’s in my control? End with a 5-minute action that closes the page (send the email, set the boundary, schedule the tiny step). In the Stoic app, revisit tomorrow and note if the detour created even a small pocket of ease or a new possibility.

Journaling Idea - On Detours and Delays.

What part of your life would benefit from a gentle detour right now?

If you allowed yourself to pause or shift direction just a little, what pressure could ease? What new possibilities might appear?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Jan 28, 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.

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