A Bullet Journal. Nothing new, right?
This has been on the “to-write” pile for some time, but I was undecided on how I wanted to tackle this post. I’m finally happy with this journal, and the direction that I’ve taken my bullet journal layouts.
My bullet journal is definitely not the fanciest one, or maybe even the best laid out, but this works best for me. I’m definitely a write-it-down over a put-it-in-my-phone in order to remember anything. I keep up with writing notes better than trying to deal with apps, reminders, etc. It just means that my purse is heavier.
Bullet Journal Basics
I use a MUJI spiral notebook with dotted graph pages. I just recently added the addition of different washi tapes to help categorize, as well as decorate the pages. For writing, I use a blue MUJI pen for every day things, with the addition of other colours when I want/deem necessary.
Sections I Use
I love making and using lists – so it’s no surprise that my bujo is full of them.
- Goals – These are just general goals, with really no deadlines. Just things I should really be working on all the time.
- 5 Year Plan – this is broken down into years and smaller sections. Work, Blog, Travel, Relationship, Money, House, Health and Fitness, Miscellaneous Stuff
- Wedding Plan – for my imaginary wedding, since I’m not getting married any time soon!
I did have monthly expenses pages, but they quickly fell to the side. Not ideal, but I couldn’t keep up with them! I did see online a budget/spending section in the weekly pages, which I’ve started to incorporate for March. Maybe this will be better for me to keep up with.
After the goal lists are finished, the calendar pages happen!
- Yearly Overview – This lists all the important dates I need to remember in one place. Birthdays, holidays, celebrations
- Monthly Overview – I thrive with a monthly overview. I need to know that I’m not double-booking myself! This page has important monthly reminders, and a calendar.
- Weekly Overview – This is the main portion of the bujo. Typically these pages look like To-Do lists, where I can write out things that I need to do that night, and have my appointments ready at a glance. I recently added a habit checklist, spending, and reminders to the top of each week. I am trying to make these look nicer and less utilitarian.
Sources for Ideas and Layout Plans
Majority of my inspiration for this comes from Tumblr. There is a huge studyblr community that is pretty dedicated to the bullet journal, and really put mine to shame. Instagram also has some good stuff out there, but I think Tumblr is still my main go-to.
It’s not the easiest to keep up with; going from scratch requires a lot of maintenance. I definitely think it’s worth it, but I keep looking at different notebooks to help ease the need for writing out monthly/weekly calendars every time.
How do you feel about the bullet journal craze? Let me know if you have one as well!
J x
