I can think of a few tough moments—how do I choose the best example and structure today’s entry?

Pick the story where your actions—not the outcome—showed your best self. Use these quick filters: (1) Impact: you grew, protected values, or helped someone; (2) Difficulty: it stretched you; (3) Agency: you did something within your control. Then follow this simple outline: • Situation in 3 sentences (who/what/when). • Control check: list what you could and couldn’t control. • Actions: 3 concrete steps you took. • Support: people, tools, or habits you leaned on. • Inner dialogue: a helpful thought you used. • Outcome: what changed (even slightly). • Strengths: name 2 qualities you showed (e.g., patience, courage). • Carry-forward: 1 tiny behavior you’ll repeat this week. Write it in Stoic to keep the reflection focused and actionable.

How do I turn that past success into a repeatable plan for future uncertainty or work stress?

Extract principles, not just events. Try this: • Trigger: name the first sign you’re getting stressed (tight chest, racing thoughts). • If–Then: “If I notice [trigger], then I will [1 small action],” e.g., email draft pause + 3 breaths + clarify the next step I control. • Micro-skill: identify a skill you used (asking for clarity, time-boxing, saying no) and define a 2-minute version. • Self-talk: one sentence that helped (“Focus on what I can do next”). • Support cue: who you’ll ping or what note you’ll reread. • Proof: a one-line reminder of the past instance that worked. Save this plan in your Stoic journal entry so you can revisit it before big meetings or decisions.

What if I feel like I’ve never handled a difficult situation well—how do I still do this prompt?

Broaden “handled well” to include showing up, learning, or preventing worse outcomes. Try one of these angles: • Micro-win hunt: list three moments you stayed respectful, asked for help, or took a breath before reacting. Pick one and write the story. • Almost-wins: choose a tough time you’d grade as a C. Note what you did that kept things from getting worse, and one thing you’d repeat. • Best-self rewrite: if nothing comes to mind, imagine the same situation with the best version of you acting. Journal the imagined steps—this becomes your template. Keep the tone compassionate and specific. Using Stoic as your daily companion makes it easier to notice small evidence of strength over time.

Journaling Idea - On Best Evers.

Can you remember the best you’ve ever handled a difficult situation?

Think of a time you went through something tough and handled it in the best way possible. What helped you stay strong?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Jun 20, 2025

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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