I’m not sure what counts as “creative work” for me. How can I journal to figure it out?

Try a 7‑day scan. Each day, jot brief answers: 1) What did I do today that involved choices, not just steps? 2) Where did I feel curious or lose track of time? 3) What small thing did I change, combine, or reframe? Include non-obvious areas (coding, cooking, lesson planning, reorganizing a space). At week’s end, review your notes and highlight patterns—verbs like designing, arranging, experimenting often signal creative work. In the Stoic app, capture a quick daily reflection titled “Felt creative when…” to build your personal map of creativity. Focus on the process, not the outcome—aligns with Stoic practice of valuing what’s in your control.

How do I tell if an activity truly stands out from my other work as creative?

Use a before/during/after check-in: • Before: Do I feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty (vs. dread or autopilot)? • During: Am I making choices, exploring options, and okay with not knowing the answer yet? • After: Do I feel energized or proud of the process, even if the result is rough? Journal a quick two-column comparison—Creative vs. Routine—listing: level of uncertainty, number of meaningful choices, time distortion, and energy after. The more boxes you tick on the creative side, the more it stands out. Stoic tip: note what you controlled (time, effort, experiments) and release what you couldn’t (instant perfection, others’ reactions).

I freeze because I feel my creative work must be original. How can I journal to get unstuck?

Use a constraint-based entry: 1) Define a tiny container (15 minutes, 100 words, 3 variations). 2) Write “Permission to be rough:” and list three ways your draft can be imperfect today. 3) Set a simple aim: “If this were play, I would…” and finish the sentence. 4) After, note one learning and one next micro-step. If you consult AI for sparks, ask it for constraints or prompts, then respond in your own words—your voice is the work. In Stoic, keep a recurring note called “Ugly First Drafts” to normalize progress over perfection—cultivating courage and temperance, classic Stoic virtues.

Journaling Idea - On Creativity.

What kind of activity or project do you do that makes you think: “This is creative work”?

Does it stand out from any other kind of work you do?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Oct 12, 2021

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.

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