Have you jumped on the Bullet Journal bandwagon yet? Does the thought of all things organizational give you a rush or a rash? Maybe you’ve been using a bullet journal for the past 4 years or maybe you’ve been living under a rock and are clueless. I was under that very rock until last summer, when I finally gave in to my curiosity and Googled “Bullet Journal”. Wow. For a list queen like myself it was like opening one giant Pandora’s journal…
If you’re a Bullet Journal pro, forgive the basics here but I’d like to share my experience and I would actually LOVE to hear from you in the comments below with any tips/ tricks you may have up your sleeve! If you’re a newbie under the rock, I’ll keep it simple (because it can get incredibly overwhelming when you first dip your toes into the organizational waters) and tell you what has worked for me and could possibly work for you, too.
Why even bother with a Bullet Journal? Oh my word— if only I had this system in place when I emigrated from the UK to Canada and had a gazillion important items on random scraps of paper, when I was a young mom trying to keep tabs on frantic everyday life, while I homeschooled my kids, or when my daughter got married. If only. The best thing for me about using a Bullet Journal is that everything is in one place and so I don’t forget stuff! Basic and brilliant.
For starters, it’s got its very own cool abbreviation, “BuJo”. Therefore, we will be utterly cool and speak only of the BuJo from here on in. If you want to know how the BuJo was born and all things “proper” in its world, the official website is http://bulletjournal.com/ In a nutshell, we have one beautiful journal— some like the dotty square grid type, but I’m happy with regular lines— and we write down ALL THE THINGS in a specific order. Stuff gets checked off, nothing gets left undone, and no one is left behind!
“Lists are the butterfly nets that catch my fleeting thoughts…” Betsy Cañas Garmon
As a writer and wife and mom, I like to use my BuJo to: keep track of blog post ideas and scheduling, list writing goals for the year, have a weekly check-off list of to-do writing pages/ projects, have a books page, gratitude page, a weekly meal plan, appointments, Christmas gifts, prayer list, life goals, year at a glance, month at a glance, week at a glance (I like to glance!) Basically my entire life in one notebook. You get the idea. Super customizable.
“Organize, don’t agonize.” Nancy Pelosi
Rather than attempt to explain, here are a few shots from my BuJo featuring: index, year at a glance, monthly, and weekly pages:
“It may seem like a lot of effort to have to rewrite items over and over, but that’s intentional. This process makes you pause and consider each item.” (Bulletjournal.com) Basically, each itemized point has to be marked off as done, ditched, or put off. It really helps to evaluate what you spend time doing, and what can be eliminated from your day-to-day life. It’s remarkably freeing and informative!
Now there are hundreds of gorgeous posts and websites you can peruse (warning: there are some exquisite artists out there who rule the roost and go all the way with these beauties— do not be intimidated!) but the easy-peasy basics for newbies can be found on this helpful little post: https://www.fix.com/blog/start-a-bullet-journal/
Once you’re feeling comfortable, here’s a post with some really beautiful sites to inspire you from: BUZZFEED
If you like my super-simple approach, you can use the gorgeous Kate Spade journal (has multiple ribbon bookmarks and it lies flat and it’s PINK) and the Cross ballpoint pen I love the best. These are my Amazon affiliate links (full disclosure here) which means I get a tiny commission while you pay the regular price:
KATE SPADE “EAT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST” JOURNAL
Friend, whether you go all BuJo on me or not, it’s about what works for you. I like to be somewhat organized and lists are my jam. I choose to keep mine super simple and easy-peasy, no pressure on the artwork or worrying if I’ll achieve my goals. It’s not about PERFECTION, because we all know that’s a scary place. If this kind of thing steals your joy and stresses you out, leave it be.
“Perfectionism isn’t a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is.” Ann Voskamp
Definitely choose joy! I hope this has been helpful or at least encouraging— let me know how your BuJo journey goes? I’m starting a brand new one (another EAT CAKE FOR BREAKFAST Kate Spade because I love it so much!) learning from the past year and striving to run the race ahead with all the joy and grace…
P.S. Do you love FREE books? Sign up for my free ebook devotional, DIAMOND DEVOS 31 HERE
Linking up with some fabulous encouragers! Check them out:
Hey Laura, I sure my planner to keep myself organized, but you have piqued my interest in BuJo! Thanks so much! Misty
Hi Misty, oh I’m glad I piqued your interest! Worth checking out— it’s a whole new world I was totally unaware of! Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Blessings!
Nice review and explanation! I started bullet journaling in January when I lost my job and had to reinvent myself. I’m not as detailed and neat but it’s definitely helped me to organize what seemed like a chaotic transition from FT employee to becoming a blogger. I include quotes to inspire and motivate me and a daily to do so I don’t forget to take care of me!
Hi Mary, thanks so much for all your info. I wrote a few inspirational quotes in mine, but I think that’s something I’ll improve upon with this new one. And yes, take care of you! Hope your new blogging life is going well. Blessings to you 🙂
Thank you for lifting the rock that has been hiding me from the world of BuJo and sharing that awesome quote by Ann Voskamp.
Hahaha! You are so welcome, friend! Welcome to all things BuJo. Isn’t that such a great quote? I need to pin it on my forehead 🙂 Blessings to you!
I love your bullet journal! I am such s fan of bullet journals; they help me track important things like my sleep and workouts, and also help me to remember important dates haha! Thank so much for sharing ?
Thanks so much, Lara. Love that use your BuJo for health and wellness, something that definitely can get overlooked in the busyness of life! Thanks for stopping by— blessings to you 🙂
I haven’t tried a BuJo yet, but am wondering if this might be the way to go next year, instead of buying a planner! As a homeschooling, work-from-home, mom of 6, the lists are endless! 🙂 Thanks for the ideas and links!
Oh my goodness, Naomi, sounds like a BuJo might be right up your alley! I can’t begin to imagine the lists… I hope you find something that’s a good fit for you and your family.Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂 Blessings!
I love this so hard!!! xoxo. I keep a journal with me everywhere, I’d be lost without it…well, my mind would be. 😉
Thanks so much, Jillian! I know what you mean… if I lost my BuJo I would be a hot mess 😉 So grateful that you stopped by— blessings to you!
I love the idea of a bullet journal, but its bound pages were too restrictive for me. I finally gave up and now have an old-fashioned 3-ring binder with sections. I keep my weekly spread on a clipboard for easy access.
Hi there, Debbie! The main thing is finding what works for YOU— and it sounds like you have a great system in place 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by… blessings to you!
You are so much like me. I started to bullet journal early this year. I love the concept but not such a fan of the time it takes to draw out all my calendars, and weekly spreads etc. So literally just a few days ago I decided to move my planner portion over to a regular planner but I’m going to keep track of all my list in the bullet journal format because I love that portion of it. Including my quotes, ministry and blogging goals, etc. I just love having all of that in one place. This way I can have my cake and eat it too! Ha-ha! Thanks for sharing it’s good to know there is another blogger out there that loves pretty ways to stay organize. Stopping by From Salt & Light Link Up!
Hi there Timberley! Thanks so much for sharing— that’s a genius way of enjoying the BuJo but not getting overwhelmed with all the calendar-ish plans! Glad you found a sweet compromise 😉 And yes, it’s all about the pretty….!!! Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing this Laura! I have heard about these journals but couldn’t quite grasp how it would work for me. After seeing how you use yours and looking at the links you provided I’m definitely going to find myself a BuJo! ?
Yay Deanna, that’s so awesome! Probably would have been super useful with the wedding planning and all, but I think it’ll come in handy with your house stuff especially. There’s SO MUCH info online, but if it gets a bit much, give me a shout 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Laura!! I discovered the bujo three years ago and love it! A friend of mine sent me nice notebook with graph paper a few years before my discovery of the bullet journal. It was a grid notebook and when I saw that I thought, “what am I supposed to do with this?” Well, enter the introduction to the bullet journal system through another author I read, Emily Freeman. Then I remembered the grid notebook my friend sent me and a light bulb went off. I’ve been loving it ever since and the Lord led me to following some of those fantastic artists and restored my love of drawing. A few month ago I’ve discovered the traveler’s notebook which is like a mini bujo!! I fit it nicely in my purse without it adding a lot of weight like my personal planner did. I have a Webster’s Pages personal planner in mint color that I love. It’s just too bulky to keep in my purse. Still use it cuz…well…I’m obsessed with planners. Let’s just say that. ?
Haha Christine— you’re the best! I kinda wondered what on earth the “graph paper” note books were for (do people actually make graphs in them?) so now at least I know what that’s all about! Love following your lettering on Instagram… one of these days I’ll take a course and beautify my headings at least! Thanks so much for stopping by, sweet friend! blessings to you 🙂
What a neat idea! I just got a DaySpring planner since our lives are suddenly busy. I am thinking of making part of it for gratitude lists!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sarah! DaySpring planners are lovely— and gratitude lists are always a good idea (must make a point of being more diligent with mine as it’s SO worthwhile!) Happy planning, and blessings to you 🙂
Hmmm … you have made me reconsider what I’d written off, Laura! Lol! I may just have to try this! And the pink journal and cross pen may have been what made the deal! I love anything Kate Spade ♥\\
It was so fun to have the chance to stop here this week! You always make me smile 🙂
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Hi there Lori— I love you stopping by here, too! 😉 Glad I got you thinking about the BuJo, even if I had to use such temptations as Kate Spade in the process! Always lovely to hear from you, my friend. Blessings!
I had one but can’t seem to get into it. I wish I could. I love that Ann Voskamp quote.
Oh no worries, Alyssa— the important thing is finding a calendar/ journal/ planning method that suits you. And basically helps you to remember stuff! 😉 Such a great quote. Blessings to you!