I want to help someone this week but I’m overwhelmed—how do I pick one person and one small action?

Start with clarity. 1) Name one person who’s already on your mind. 2) List what’s in your control: a message, a favor, a check‑in, a small gift, a ride, a walk. 3) Choose a 10–15 minute action that fits your energy and schedule. 4) Write an if‑then plan: “If it’s Tuesday lunch, then I’ll text Alex: ‘Thinking of you—coffee this week?’” 5) Define success as showing up, not changing their mood. In Stoic, jot the person, the one action, and your if‑then. At week’s end, reflect on how it felt and what you learned about giving.

How do I practice loving‑kindness without people‑pleasing or burning out?

Set gentle boundaries. Choose acts that are sustainable (small, time‑bound) and aligned with your values, not guilt. Ask: “Would I do this again next week?” If not, scale it down. Prefer actions that respect autonomy (offer, don’t impose). Consider anonymous or low‑expectation kindness to reduce pressure. In your Stoic journal, note: motive (care vs. approval), your limit (time/energy), and a clear end point. Afterward, debrief: Did I honor my limit? Did the action match my intention?

Can I use AI to brainstorm kindness ideas while keeping them genuine to the person?

Yes—treat AI as a spark, not a script. Ask for categories (supportive messages, practical help, shared time), then filter through what you know about the person’s preferences, culture, and current bandwidth. Personalize one idea with a detail only you’d know. Do a quick consent check for anything that affects their time or space. In Stoic, capture your personalized plan and a one‑sentence intention (e.g., “Offer steady support, not fixes”). Reflect later on what felt authentic so future actions stay human and grounded.

Journaling Idea - On Loving-Kindness.

Thinking of the week ahead, can you increase the happiness of anyone else?

Taking action, making time: can you think of someone who you can make more happy?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Zach Beauvais

Published on

Sep 3, 2022

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.

Thinking of the week ahead, can you increase the happiness of anyone else?

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 Loving-Kindness