I’m stuck on which priority to remove—how can I decide without feeling guilty?

Try a quick triage: 1) Values check—circle the one least connected to your top values this week (e.g., health, relationships, focused work). 2) Energy check—which item would drain the most for the least impact? 3) Control check—drop the one most dependent on others or unclear timing. Remind yourself you’re postponing, not abandoning. In Stoic, note: “I’m removing X because Y,” then write one line on what you’ll gain from the space (clarity, rest, depth). This reframes the choice from loss to intention.

What if everything feels urgent—how do I shrink my list without overthinking it?

Use the one-week lens. Ask: Which item, if skipped for 7 days, has the smallest real-world consequence? Or apply the rule of 5s: Will this matter in 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months? Remove the lowest-signal item. Set a two-minute timer in Stoic to make the call fast, then commit: “For this week only, I choose depth over breadth.” Stoic principle: focus on what you can control—your attention today—not hypothetical futures.

How do I handle the anxiety after removing an item so I don’t add it back?

Name it first: “I feel anxious/guilty because…” Then write a compassionate reframe: “This is a strategic pause, not failure.” Create a tiny safety net: define a 2–5 minute maintenance action if truly needed (e.g., skim emails once), but otherwise keep it off the list. End your Stoic entry with an if–then: “If the urge to re-add shows up, then I’ll reread why I removed it and return to my chosen priority.” Celebrate the freed time with one sentence of gratitude to anchor the change.

Journaling Idea - On Priorities.

Make a list of five things you want to prioritize for the coming week. Choose one, and remove it.

How does it feel to reduce your priority list? What made you choose this one to remove?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Mar 12, 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.

Make a list of five things you want to prioritize for the coming week. Choose one, and remove it.

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