I’m not sure what my non‑negotiables are—how do I figure them out without overthinking?

Try a values-to-boundaries pass in your journal: 1) List 5 moments you felt proud or calm recently—what value was honored? 2) List 3 moments you felt resentful or drained—what value was violated? 3) From those, write 3 non‑negotiables as clear statements (e.g., “I don’t commit to work after 7 pm”). 4) Do a body check: read each aloud—notice ease vs. tension; edit until it feels steady. 5) Set a tiny proof: one action today that aligns with each non‑negotiable. Keep it short and real. In the Stoic app, revisit this list during your daily reflection so it stays visible and simple rather than overthought.

Work keeps pushing my boundaries. How can I write non‑negotiables that hold at work without sounding rigid?

Anchor them to what you can control and phrase them as practices, not ultimatums. Journal it like this: • Domain: “Meetings.” • Principle: “Focused work needs protection.” • Non‑negotiable: “I block 1 hour daily for deep work.” • If–then: “If asked to book over it, then I offer 2 alternative times.” • Why it matters: “Quality over speed reduces errors.” This keeps the boundary firm while your method stays collaborative. Review in Stoic after tough days and note what wording helped you hold the line without conflict.

I cave on my principles when I’m anxious or afraid of rejection. How can I journal to stick to them without being harsh on myself?

Use a compassionate pre‑plan: 1) Name the trigger: “When I fear letting someone down…” 2) Minimum viable boundary: “I will pause and ask for 10 minutes before agreeing.” 3) Self‑talk script: “Staying aligned is respectful to both of us.” 4) Pre‑mortem: “If I slip, I’ll log what happened, what I felt, and one micro‑adjustment for next time.” 5) Celebrate adherence, not perfection: note one moment you honored a principle today. The Stoic app can be your daily check‑in to capture these quick reflections so you build consistency gently.

Journaling Idea - On Making Exceptions.

What are the non-negotiables in your life?

Which boundaries or principles never get exceptions, no matter what?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Oct 16, 2025

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.

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.

What are the non-negotiables in your life?

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 Making Exceptions