What’s a simple way to journal the evolution of my desires without getting overwhelmed?

Try a three-point timeline. 1) Pick three ages (for example: 10, 18, now). 2) For each age, list three things you wanted. 3) For each want, jot: Why did I want this? Who or what influenced it? Was it in my control? 4) Circle any themes that persist (creativity, belonging, independence). 5) Note what changed and why (new information, values shift, life context). Finish with one sentence: “Today, I desire X because it aligns with Y value.” In Stoic, keep it brief—bullet notes are enough. The aim is clarity, not completeness.

I feel guilty that my ambitions are smaller now. How can I journal about this without beating myself up?

Use a values-first reframing. 1) Write the “smaller” ambition and the previous “bigger” one. 2) Ask: What value does each serve (wisdom, courage, justice, self-care, connection)? 3) Note costs: What did the bigger goal cost my well-being or relationships? 4) Apply the Stoic control check: Which parts of each goal are up to me today? 5) Rephrase the “smaller” goal as “more focused”: “I’m choosing depth over breadth because it serves X value.” Close with one compassionate line to yourself. Journaling in Stoic with this structure helps you honor growth instead of shaming change.

How do I tell if a desire is truly mine or driven by fear, perfectionism, or others’ approval?

Run a quick integrity scan. 1) Quiet test: If no one knew I did this, would I still want it? 2) Body check: When I imagine pursuing it, do I feel steady energy or anxious urgency? 3) Control check: What parts are within my control today? 4) Value link: Which core value does it express? If none, it may be approval-seeking. 5) Tiny experiment: Take one small step and journal how it felt—not the outcome, the feeling and alignment. Repeat this in Stoic over a few days; patterns will reveal whether the desire is authentic or fueled by fear.

Journaling Idea - On desire.

How have your desires, preferences, or ambitions changed?

You can start from any point in your life. What kinds of things did you want when you were 10 years old, for example?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

May 12, 2023

Journal in Stoic

HowTo=target

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking to learn moreabout emotions?

Find hundreds of quotes, affirmations, lessons, guided journals, and so much more in stoic.

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.

How have your desires, preferences, or ambitions changed?

Join the Minimal Newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you think about this?

How do you think about this?

How do you think about this?

Looking to learn moreabout emotions?

More prompts on On desire