How can I use this week’s focus on to-do lists to calm my anxiety and stop overthinking everything I “should” do?

Try a two-step journal flow. 1) Thought-dump: Set a 3–5 minute timer and write every task and worry that pops up. Don’t organize. This meets the “Try making a thought-dump” prompt. 2) Gentle pruning: From your dump, choose at most 5 aims for the next week, then remove one, as the prompt suggests. Notice what emotion shows up when you delete it—tightness in chest, jaw clench, relief? That’s your reflection for “How do you feel when you think about your to-do list?” Use Pooh’s line—“a journey to be experienced”—to keep lists experiential, not perfectionist. And test the idea that you can only track ~7 tasks: keep a short visible list and store the rest in your journal. Stoic can hold your notes so you don’t hold them in your mind.

What’s a simple journaling routine in Stoic this week to rethink my lists without burning out?

Try this quick cadence: • Day 1: Do you make lists a lot? Write about your style and how it’s helped or hindered you (Piglet: “The things that make me different…”). • Day 2: Pleasurable to-do list for the week (coffee, longer shower, a walk). Put it first. • Day 3: Done-list for this month—stack the wins and notice the body sensation of completion. • Day 4: Make a 5-item list for next week, then remove one. Write why that one can wait. • Day 5: Thought-dump distractors for 3 minutes. • Day 6: Respond to the “7 tasks” idea—what’s your real limit? • Day 7: Reflect on how your list made you feel, without judgment. Mary Oliver’s “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” can guide each entry. Use Stoic as your daily companion to capture these short entries in one place.

I feel guilty cutting items from my list. How do I journal through the fear of failure or letting people down?

Start with values, not volume. Write: “My one wild and precious life is for…” and list 3 values (Mary Oliver). Then, when you remove a task, write two lines: • Because: the honest reason it doesn’t fit your values this week. • Gift: what space it creates (rest, focus, presence). Let Mary Oliver’s “box full of darkness” reframe delays or no’s as future gifts. If irritation arises (Jung), ask: “What does this reaction teach me about my expectations?” Finally, copy Walken’s reminder about not living to impress, and circle any task driven mainly by approval. In Stoic, revisit these notes before making a new list so your choices stay anchored to what matters.

On To-do Lists

This week, we’ll consider what lists we make.

May 14, 2023 ― May 20, 2023

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Frequently Asked Questions

monday.

tuesday.

wednesday.

thursday.