How can I use this quote to turn my anxious story into a more helpful one in my Stoic journal?

Try a two-story rewrite. 1) Title: “What’s happening.” Write the bare facts in one or two sentences. 2) Title: “Story I’m telling.” Capture the anxious narrative you’re imagining. 3) Title: “Story I choose.” Use your imagination to craft a realistic, supportive version that still respects the facts (include strengths, resources, and likely neutral outcomes). 4) End with: “One small action I’ll take today.” In the Stoic app, make this a quick daily entry so your imaginative story starts shaping what you do next.

I’m stressed about a presentation—how do I apply Woolf’s idea with journaling so my imagination helps instead of hurts?

Use guided mental rehearsal on paper. In your Stoic journal: 1) Describe success in sensory detail (what you see/hear/do when it goes well). 2) Note one obstacle you might face (e.g., forgetting a point). 3) Write an if-then plan: “If I blank, then I pause, breathe, and check my cue card.” 4) List three controllables for today (practice time, opening line, slide order). This channels imagination into preparation, which can change tomorrow’s outcome.

What journaling prompts will stop me from catastrophizing and use imagination constructively?

Use this quick template: • Fact: What is undeniably true today? • Fear-story: What am I imagining that makes this worse? • Evidence: What supports/contradicts that story? • Helpful-story: A believable alternative I can act on. • Tiny step: One 5-minute move that aligns with the helpful story. Optionally add “Future Me” one-liner: “If I follow the tiny step for a week, what new fact might exist?” The Stoic app works well for repeating this template when you notice overthinking.