How do I journal about a “happy accident” without forcing a lesson out of it?

Start with a simple snapshot: What happened, where you were, and who was there. Then note three sensory details (what you saw, heard, or felt) and one emotion you noticed. Ask: What made this good, even if it wasn’t planned? Finish with a gratitude line like, “I’m glad this happened, even without a reason.” This keeps the focus on appreciation, not analysis. In Stoic, keep it brief—5–7 lines is enough to honor the moment without turning it into a moral.

What if I can’t remember a time luck helped me—how do I approach this prompt?

Shrink the scale. Think of tiny serendipities: an unexpected smile, a seat opening up, a song that matched your mood. If nothing comes, write about a near-miss that taught you softness or patience, or imagine a future happy accident and how you’d recognize it. Use a simple structure: 1) A small unexpected thing, 2) Why it felt good, 3) One way I can stay open to moments like this (e.g., leave buffers, say yes to small invites).

How can this prompt reduce my anxiety about uncertainty or fear of failure?

It trains your mind to notice that unpredictability can help you. Try this flow: 1) Name one past unplanned positive, 2) Identify the tiny risk or openness that made it possible (e.g., arrived early, asked a question), 3) Write one sentence of “amor fati”: “I can’t control outcomes, but I can welcome surprises.” Over time, keep a short “serendipity log” in the Stoic app—one line a day when chance worked in your favor. This builds evidence that uncertainty isn’t only a threat.

Journaling Idea - On Positive Meaninglessness.

Can you think of a time when you ended up feeling happy because of an accident or chance?

Some things we do on purpose, but we can’t plan for everything, right? Is that right?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Jul 5, 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.

Can you think of a time when you ended up feeling happy because of an accident or chance?

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