The Daily Stoic Journal: 366 Days of Writing and Reflection on the Art of Living

I scoured the internet this past winter in search of fresh new ways to approach my daily morning journal writing. Perhaps it's no accident (since I've been watching a lot of YouTube videos on Stoicism over this past year), that this Daily Stoic Journal format's turned out to be one of my top two go-to solutions for journaling in 2025!Each week is introduced with a thoughtful page of classic philosophical quotes that set the right tone of encouragement re: consciously sticking with this format: responding twice each day to a single, simple well-crafted query (once in the morning and then again in the evening), which fills about 2/3 of a page with morning and evening reflection on the day's query.The queries themselves are quite concise, each clearly crafted with considerable level of intention, time and forethought. Thus far (still in the first month of entries), this one-year experiment's already helping me make MUCH better use of the finite amount of time I've set aside daily journaling before I rise each morning. I'm enthused enough to stick with this for a full twelve month cycle because I can already see benefits coming from this "less is more" approach. My writing was getting into a repetitive rut and now, instead of filling 3 morning pages with rambling, stream of consciousness narration before I rise, I'm feeling quite refreshed by trying this fresh new approach for a year!

I'm in my 5th year of this daily practice. If you are interested in self improvement, buy the book and USE IT! Someone once said, "We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience". This book is a great way to practice that reflection. I would also recommend Holiday's virtue series books as well as " The Daily Stoic". You might as well listen to his podcast too. He has great guests that further enrich my understanding of what it means to live a good life.

This is great journal .I write in it every morning keeping in mind the messages written that helps you to reflect and live a life with purpose ,self awareness, and guidance

The journal is divided into weekly themes and daily prompts, making it easy to incorporate into a routine. The prompts are thought-provoking but not overwhelming, often tying philosophical ideas to modern life. The layout is simple and elegant, with plenty of space for writing.

One year later, I'm changing my review from two stars to four stars. Here's why.My original review (retained below) was based on superficial stuff. But here's what matters: looking back at my journal entries over the past year, I am enormously thankful for the prompts from this book. I have explored more important ideas, more deeply, than in a lifetime of unprompted journaling. I've pulled a great deal of wisdom from my life experience, thanks to exploring ideas through the lens of stoicism.I do stand by my original advice, though. Bye this book for the prompts, but use your favorite blank book for your actual journaling.-----------original review------------For anyone who follows The Daily Stoic or who simply wants Stoic ideas combined with thoughtful journaling prompts, the content here is fantastic.My problem is the book itself, printed on cheap, fibrous paper that's no good for journaling with most any pen I enjoy writing with (and since the cheap paper is so grey, pencil looks muddled in the page, too).Similarly, the thick hardback binding is the opposite of a lay-flat journal, which makes it hard to write in, and the constrained space for writing is only good for the briefest thoughts and tiniest handwriting.(Small thing, but it also bugs me that Ryan Holiday often describes this on his podcast as "a question in the morning and a question in the evening," when it is really one question per day.)The obvious solution is to do your journaling in your own favorite journal.There are so many other things this book could have been......a great journal with quality paper and more flexible writing space....a much smaller book (just reflections and prompts without all the blank pages, with the expectation of BYO journal)...a more interesting product that packages the prompts as physical bookmarks or stickers or something else you combine with your favorite journal... Or even a digital product (a download, daily email or text prompts, etc)

I love the messages and prompts it gives you to reflect on a daily basis. I would recommend to anyone looking for a daily journal

I bought “The Daily Stoic Journal” on a whim, thinking I’d scribble a few thoughts here and there. Little did I know, this book would be like a philosophical gym for my brain! Each day throws a new stoic challenge, turning what I thought was a simple journal into a life coach dressed as an ancient philosopher.Before this journal, my deepest reflection was probably “Should I reheat this pizza?” Now, I’m pondering life, making decisions like a sage, and even impressing my cat with my newfound calm. Who needs years of therapy when you’ve got 366 days of stoic wisdom?This isn’t just a book; it’s a journey. A journey that doesn’t require you to leave your favorite armchair. Perfect for anyone who’s looking to upgrade their mental firmware with some age-old software. Highly recommended!

"The Daily Stoic Journal" is a fantastic companion for anyone looking to deepen their practice of Stoicism. The prompts are thoughtful and inspiring, encouraging daily reflection on the art of living with purpose, resilience, and clarity. Each day’s entry helps you build a habit of mindfulness and personal growth. A perfect journal for anyone wanting to cultivate wisdom and focus on living intentionally. Highly recommend!