My Bullet Journal

Staying on track for January

It’s been a whirlwind love affair, from discovering the discipline of bullet journalling in mid-December, I got my own journal and supplies for Christmas and began my new habit as the new year started.

Some evenings I use Pinterest to bookmark ideas for title styles, page layouts and decoration themes. So many creative people are generously sharing their ideas and techniques. Now I’ve begun pouring my energies into creating some pages of my own, I relate to this urge to share. From my mood tracker in the header image, you can see how positive my attitude has been during January, traditionally a month when people feel blue (see what I did there?)

Tip: let your style evolve without getting too hung up — we all have our own approach to use of the journal.

For my first weekly spread I noted what I needed to achieve on specific days of the week. However, if I didn’t get the task done that day, I felt an element of failure.

The next weekly layout I adjusted my style, allocating smaller daily spaces, I intended to solely record appointments there needing a larger space for a ‘To Do’ list relating to the week. So far this works better for me.

I’ve learned I prefer to see a tick box beside tasks rather than completed tasks crossed out. On that note don’t clump related tasks together into one item, otherwise you have to wait until all of them are done to apply that satisfying tick.

Tip: Make a routine. I enjoy the process of drawing and colouring my layouts so much, I have to restrain myself not to only prepare 1 week ahead. This allows me to identify those styles I want to take forward versus those which need adjusting.

Tip: Come away from your screen to maximise the mindfulness and work on your journal. Surround yourself with your pens, pencils and stencils; sit in good light and let your creativity flow.

You don’t have to use colour — many beautiful journals are compiled in black and white. Equally it can be functional without any fancy motifs or lettering. A journal is as individual as the person who uses it to manage their time, the versatility is what makes them so appealing to use.

Tip: Share with friends— use your bullet journal as an ice breaker. Show like-minded people what you’ve created, be encouraged by each other’s arty endeavours. Swapping ideas for features and pages, is a wonderful thing and a way to encourage each other in the discipline. Via Pinterest and Facebook you’ll make remote connections over this hobby.

A friend of mine who sews has made a gorgeous fabric cover for her journal, another friend running a small business uses a no-nonsense layout packed with marketing ideas and mind-maps for new products.

Because I get bored easily, I decided I’d have a new theme each month, changing colour and motif twelve times a year. To this end I’ve drawn up a list and plotted out my plans — but the later months are in pencil in case I change my mind.

My initial post explained that I love scrapbooking, so embellishing and personalising something as practical as a diary /project book is second nature to me. The bonus is how the discipline of journalling has increased feelings of relaxion, plus having my thoughts more organised I feel my creative energy is set free.

I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts on journal layouts and how they use their pages — comment away dear friends, feedback is welcome.

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