I feel a mix of things—how do I pick an animal that actually matches my mood for this children’s story?

Try three quick steps: 1) List 3 sensations you notice (tight chest, low energy, fidgety). 2) Match each to an animal trait (turtle = slow/protective, hummingbird = restless, bear = heavy/hibernating). 3) Choose the one that fits most right now and call it “Feelings.” Give Feelings a simple goal (find a snack, a quiet spot, a friend), a gentle obstacle, and one small action they can take. Write it in your Stoic journal entry in 5–7 sentences, keeping language simple and visual.

My mood is heavy (anxious or low). How do I keep the story gentle without glossing over how I feel?

Use soft metaphors and validation: let Feelings name what’s hard (“My tummy buzzes like a busy hive”) and show a kind response (a deep breath, a sip of water, a short walk). Keep stakes small and safe, and end with a realistic win: comfort, not perfection. Stoic tip: weave in the dichotomy of control—what Feelings can do now (breathe, ask for help, rest) versus what they can’t control (tomorrow’s weather, others’ opinions). Close with one compassionate line: “It’s okay to feel this way.” Capture it in Stoic so you can revisit the tone on tougher days.

How can this prompt help me with overthinking about the future or work stress? What should I actually write?

Externalize the worry. Make Feelings the animal that overthinks (e.g., a squirrel counting too many acorns). Write three short parts: 1) Now: what’s happening (“Feelings is juggling acorns and dropping some”). 2) Choice: one thing within control (prioritize one acorn, take one breath, ask one teammate a question). 3) Next tiny step: the very next action today. Keep each part to two sentences to prevent spiraling. In Stoic, return to this entry after work and add one sentence about what actually happened to teach your future self.

Journaling Idea - On Mental Wellness.

Imagine writing a children's book about your current mood. What kind of animal would you name: “Feelings”?

You're the author of a kid's book, and you want one of the characters to represent how you feel right now.

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Jun 9, 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.

Imagine writing a children's book about your current mood. What kind of animal would you name: “Feelings”?

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