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a bullet journal was expensive. Using custom-made stickers, washi tape, scrap paper, and stencils can add up. If you keep things simple you can make one that isn’t more expensive than a regular planner. Find a starter kit like I did that comes with a journal, pens, stencils, and stickers. Buying any extra stickers you need in bulk also saves you money.</p><h2 id="67b5">You Can Create Consistent Habits With Your Bullet Journal</h2><p id="1ef9">My favorite part about bullet journaling is creating monthly habit and mood trackers. This has really helped me stay consistent with the goals that I want to achieve. Having a mood tracker that I color in each day gives me insight into how I’m feeling each month. Here are a few of the habits that I have started tracking:</p><ul><li>Reading 15 minutes a day (inspired by the book <b><i>The Slight Edge</i></b>)</li><li>Meditation</li><li>Writing</li><li>Social Media Engagement (now it also includes Medium)</li><li>Brushing my dog’s teeth</li><li>Playing guitar</li><li>Exercise (Usually pilates, tai chi, or hiking)</li></ul><h2 id="4960">You Can Use Your Bullet Journal to Remember</h2><p id="f260">I love keeping track of the books that I read each year, so I dedicated a page in my bullet journal! You can also write down your favorite movies, music, shows, and events. It’s hard to remember everything that you enjoyed in a year. This gives you something to look back on. I use it as inspiration to read more often.</p><figure id="9582"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*PoD_snWLQBKwr1qtvBkfdg.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@prophsee?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Prophsee Journals</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/WI30grRfBnE?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure><h2 id="5b71">Your Bullet Journal Can Add To Your Spiritual Practice</h2><p id="7af9">Bullet journals are a wonderful addition to your spiritual practice. You can include positive affirmations, yearly tarot card spreads, new/full moon intentions, your favorite scriptures, and more. Include daily, weekly, or monthly reflections to stay consistent. Personalize it to your own beliefs and make it a habit.</p><h2 id="e1c7">You Can Use Your Bullet Journal to Brainstorm</h2><p id="9345">Using your bullet journal to brainstorm new ideas gives you an archive to pull from when you need inspiration. This is a great place to come up with new article ideas for Medium, content for social media, or concepts for poems or lyrics. Never expect yourself to remember all of your brilliant ideas. Write them down so you can use them later.</p><h2 id="3aed">Your Bullet Journal Can Increase Your Gratitude</h2><p id="93a9">Start a gratitude page in your bullet journal and write something down each day. Focusing on what is going well in your life increases your level of happiness. When you have a grateful heart you are more positive and fulfilled. Having this list written down documents all of the best parts of your life so you will always be reminded of it.</p><p id="d5c9">Bullet journaling has helped me keep track of so many things and I am going to continue to us

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e mine. Regular planners may not have the exact layout you want, but making your journal yourself gives you the power to personalize it to your needs. It really is more simple than I thought it would be.</p><p id="32aa">It helps you build consistent habits and become more productive, but it’s also a creative outlet. Include your favorite quotes, drawings, stickers, or whatever inspires you. Make journaling enjoyable and you will be more likely to use it all year. Love the process and use it as a way to relax. Remember to stay motivated to reach all of your goals and dreams.</p><p id="0766">What layouts do you use in your bullet journal?</p><div id="c75f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://medium.com/@leahlynchwriting/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Leah Lynch</h2> <div><h3>Read every story from Leah Lynch (and thousands of other writers on Medium). Your membership fee directly supports Leah…</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*18o3c05O6t6rU-qq)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="74b3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/9-tips-on-how-to-find-inspiration-add8c3c4b76"> <div> <div> <h2>9 Tips on How To Find Inspiration</h2> <div><h3>Refresh your mind and body to tap into your creative flow</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*lgd6GR16SY7it0U3HuPe8Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="4bbe" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/how-to-overcome-creative-blocks-and-open-the-door-to-inspiration-98ac02f86244"> <div> <div> <h2>How to Overcome Creative Blocks and Open the Door to Inspiration</h2> <div><h3>Become a prolific creator by letting go of your fear</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*18xN4NjmEQiLNVa4w7-M4Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="1501" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/why-creating-habits-is-more-powerful-than-setting-new-years-resolutions-aace11ffc4e8"> <div> <div> <h2>Why Creating Habits Is More Powerful Than Setting New Year’s Resolutions</h2> <div><h3>Get serious about your resolutions by working towards them every day</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*doaltkLATKRuEGQh)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

I Tried Bullet Journaling for 3 Months and This is What I Learned

A creative way to track your habits, tasks, and dreams

I am always excited to pick out a new planner at the beginning of the year. Finding a beautiful calendar motivates me and makes me believe that it will transform my productivity. The blank pages welcome me into a fresh start and I always make the same promise. “I will use this consistently for the first time, and will not forget that this planner exists”.

At first, I diligently plan out my tasks and appointments, but usually stop using it altogether within 3 or 4 months. I love watching videos of bullet journals, but never felt that it was for me. I am not an artist so I never believed that it would be something I enjoyed. My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to try it out. After just 3 months I am still using it! Here is what I learned from my experience.

You Can Start a New Bullet Journal at Any Time

You don’t have to wait until the beginning of the year to start a new bullet journal. I began mine last November and it helped me get motivated right away. It doesn’t even matter if you wait until the end of the month. If you have the desire to start one for yourself, don’t put it off. It’s always a good time to begin.

You Don’t Have To Be an Artist To Have a Bullet Journal

My biggest excuse for not starting my own bullet journal is that I’m not an artist. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy it if my planner wasn’t perfectly designed. I now know that is far from the truth! My journal came with a few stencils and a set of pens. Setting it up was actually more simple than I thought. I found the perfect stickers that make it beautiful.

You Personalize Bullet Journals However You Want

Buying a premade planner with all of the layouts that you want is challenging. You might not use every page and it might be missing a feature that you really wanted. Creating your own bullet journal gives you the power to create it however you want. I don’t have every date listed in mine. I have ready-to-use to-do lists for days that I need to get things done.

Photo by That’s Her Business on Unsplash

Your Bullet Journal Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

I always thought that creating a bullet journal was expensive. Using custom-made stickers, washi tape, scrap paper, and stencils can add up. If you keep things simple you can make one that isn’t more expensive than a regular planner. Find a starter kit like I did that comes with a journal, pens, stencils, and stickers. Buying any extra stickers you need in bulk also saves you money.

You Can Create Consistent Habits With Your Bullet Journal

My favorite part about bullet journaling is creating monthly habit and mood trackers. This has really helped me stay consistent with the goals that I want to achieve. Having a mood tracker that I color in each day gives me insight into how I’m feeling each month. Here are a few of the habits that I have started tracking:

Reading 15 minutes a day (inspired by the book The Slight Edge)
Meditation
Writing
Social Media Engagement (now it also includes Medium)
Brushing my dog’s teeth
Playing guitar
Exercise (Usually pilates, tai chi, or hiking)

You Can Use Your Bullet Journal to Remember

I love keeping track of the books that I read each year, so I dedicated a page in my bullet journal! You can also write down your favorite movies, music, shows, and events. It’s hard to remember everything that you enjoyed in a year. This gives you something to look back on. I use it as inspiration to read more often.

Your Bullet Journal Can Add To Your Spiritual Practice

Bullet journals are a wonderful addition to your spiritual practice. You can include positive affirmations, yearly tarot card spreads, new/full moon intentions, your favorite scriptures, and more. Include daily, weekly, or monthly reflections to stay consistent. Personalize it to your own beliefs and make it a habit.

You Can Use Your Bullet Journal to Brainstorm

Using your bullet journal to brainstorm new ideas gives you an archive to pull from when you need inspiration. This is a great place to come up with new article ideas for Medium, content for social media, or concepts for poems or lyrics. Never expect yourself to remember all of your brilliant ideas. Write them down so you can use them later.

Your Bullet Journal Can Increase Your Gratitude

Start a gratitude page in your bullet journal and write something down each day. Focusing on what is going well in your life increases your level of happiness. When you have a grateful heart you are more positive and fulfilled. Having this list written down documents all of the best parts of your life so you will always be reminded of it.

Bullet journaling has helped me keep track of so many things and I am going to continue to use mine. Regular planners may not have the exact layout you want, but making your journal yourself gives you the power to personalize it to your needs. It really is more simple than I thought it would be.

It helps you build consistent habits and become more productive, but it’s also a creative outlet. Include your favorite quotes, drawings, stickers, or whatever inspires you. Make journaling enjoyable and you will be more likely to use it all year. Love the process and use it as a way to relax. Remember to stay motivated to reach all of your goals and dreams.

What layouts do you use in your bullet journal?