Mindfulness | Bullet Journal

Let’s Go Round Again, My Bullet Journal Joy!

Keeping track of my responsibilities working from home as writer, editor, mother, and pet owner in a creative way

I’m so proud to have maintained this regime for 11 months. My fads often burn bright, then fizzle out! But I love the journalling habit. I get so much joy in the creating and peace of mind from the organisation it nurtures, that I don’t intend to stop.

Remember that craze for adult doodling and colouring books? I confess, I thought it was hooey!

But I’ve had to eat my hat. One year on from discovering the discipline of keeping and decorating a bullet journal, I’m still hooked.

I’ve written other posts expounding what I like and what I’ve drawn, so I’ll try not to cover old ground. I will hold my hands up to a love of stationery and a need to juggle and track fulfilling my varied responsibilities.

Designing it My Way

At first I was afraid to draw. My art skills had got very rusty since I studied it at school. Initially I leaned heavily on the set of stencils which came with my journal, and a few from my card-making and scrapbooking fads.

I browse Pinterest monthly, to make a folder of any ideas which appeal for the month ahead. At the outset, I chose 12 themes and colour schemes, and I stick loosely to this. I’ve grown bolder, braver in the projects I tackle, as I gained confidence in what I can draw. My early months only had doodles, later in the year my pages became prettier.

Weekly layouts are drawn ad hoc, it’s my weekend treat to work on them. I need them ready by Sunday, so I can transfer what’s left undone from the previous week onto my next ‘To Do’ list.

I work hard to tidy up tasks on a Sunday — it irks me to use a ‘brought forward’ arrow instead of a tick.

End of month Tasks

It’s a positive experience to build an ‘Achievements’ board at the end of the month — my last drawing in that particular colour scheme / theme. I regard it as a pat on the back. It also guides my intentions as to what I should list as my ‘Goals’ for the coming month.

The header page for the month is my statement drawing. I’ve shared some of my favourites before, but you won’t have seen this.

I pick a fun mood tracker which fits with my theme. It’s rewarding to look back and observe that my moods over the last eleven months have rarely dipped low, or not for long. My family and I count our blessings.

Keeping it Fresh

Nothing is written in stone. If I start the month using circles for a weekly layout, and they cramp my notes, the next week I’ll do something different. A month of drawing in one group of colours, makes me eager to embrace a new palette for the next month. Letters, flowers, butterflies and fruit have all adorned my pages, and I love looking back at them.

I’m continually being surprised and stimulated by what people share on Pinterest. My limitations are my drawing skills and my pen colours — I’ve learned pastels are more effective than jewel brights, and a white gel pen has been a revelation!

Every week I compare images with my creative friend Marie A. Rebelle who keeps a beautiful bullet journal of her own. She inspired me to pick up this habit which has improved my mindfulness. Recently I discovered Subhashini who’s embarking on her own art journalling project, & Tabitha Low shares some interesting arty links here.

Planning Ahead

I will start a new journal for 2023. I’m pleased that I had enough space in one journal to plot a whole year. I will buy the same brand, Ottergami because the paper is great quality and the pages are bound in such a way to allow the book to open really flat, which is best for drawing. I won’t choose a pale colour — I adore my current Tiffany blue, but the spine and the corners show the dirt, no matter how careful I am.

A habit tracker is on the 2023 project list. Devising a monthly one will help me to ensure I look after my body and well being. I may also create a twelve month version relating to care of my home and pets, to keep track of the regularity of various maintenance tasks.

Certain journal features — such as the Birthdays & Anniversaries page — will require transferring to my next journal, which provides an opportunity to do things differently, if I want.

The detailed index I kept in my 1st bullet journal, can be simplified going forward.

As project pages were satisfying to create, I intend on doing more of them.

My ‘To Do’ list always needs plenty of space for entries, and boxes to tick the tasks off.

Posy Churchgate is based in the UK & writes |Fiction : Romantic, Erotic, Fantasy |Non fiction : sexuality, relationships |Editor for Tantalizing Tales, she supports new talent. Blog: https://posychurchgate.com plus more stories on FrolicMe.com & Tickle.life | Using this link for Medium membership will support her directly, plus giving you access to all Medium’s great content. Use this link to receive an email ensuring Posy’s latest stories come directly to your inbox.