How do I journal about a time low confidence made me miss out without sliding into shame?

Start with facts, not judgments: briefly describe what happened, where, and who was involved. Name the feelings you had then and the feelings you have now. Apply the Stoic lens of control: list what was in your control at the time (preparation, asking for support) and what wasn’t (others’ opinions, outcomes). Identify the protective intent—how your mind was trying to keep you safe—so you can thank it and choose differently next time. Write a short compassionate note to your past self (“You were doing your best with what you knew”). End with one tiny, realistic action you would take if the situation reappeared—keep it small enough to do today or this week. Use the Stoic app as your calm space to write and revisit this note when similar fears arise.

What if I can’t recall a specific moment—how can I still use this prompt effectively?

Try a quick scan by domain: social (turning down an invite), work/school (not applying, not speaking up), creative/health (not sharing art, skipping a class). If nothing comes up, pick a near-miss or a hypothetical you fear. Free-write for 5 minutes using stems: “I wanted to…,” “I imagined they would think…,” “If I could redo it, I would…” Then reframe with a value: “I value growth/fun/connection, so a 1-step version is…” Rate the imagined risk from 0–10 and the value from 0–10; let value guide your next micro-step. Capture this in Stoic so you can compare how your ratings shift over time.

How can I turn today’s reflection into a small, confidence-building routine with Stoic?

Use a simple three-part template after your entry: 1) Lesson: one sentence on what you learned about your fear and your values. 2) Micro-risk: one action you’ll take in the next 24–48 hours that’s a 3–4/10 on the discomfort scale (send an email, say yes to a short invite, share a draft with a friend). 3) Debrief: after you try it, jot what actually happened vs. what you predicted. Keep a running “wins and tries” list; both count. Revisit prior entries weekly to notice patterns—what helps, what triggers overthinking—and gently adjust your next micro-risk. Let Stoic be your daily anchor for these small reps.

Journaling Idea - On Self-Confidence.

Has a lack of confidence ever stopped you from doing something fun or important to you?

Looking back, do you regret it or see it differently now?

Journal in Stoic

Written by

Natalia Łobodzińska

Published on

Sep 11, 2024

Journal in Stoic

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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.

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