I have been using a system called the Bullet Journal for over two years now. Someone recently shared a picture of their bullet journal in a group on Facebook and a discussion led to more folks asking about the system and how my use of this system has evolved. I figured it would be easier to write a post than share in the comments; and anyone else interested can check out the system as well.
I first heard about this system when someone mentioned it on twitter (I wish I could remember who). I watched this video and decided to jump in. I love “to do” lists and the idea of keeping lots of lists in one place so it seemed like a great system for me.
Over the years it has evolved and I have tweaked it to meet the demands of life at the time.
At its core the bullet journal has pages with daily lists and an index in the front to keep track of everything. It might sound a bit strange to index a journal but it is amazing; I can’t believe how often I refer to my index, especially as the year goes on and I have more and more lists, notes, quotes, and other things added to the journal.
Instead of using the method in the video for the month and weeks I use a full spread for both a monthly calendar and each week. I don’t use the monthly calendar all that much but I like to have it for reference and some months I fill it in with notable things I want to remember, mostly moments or events I want to remember because something special happened. (Looks like February was rather unremarkable. Probably because my fingers were too frozen to write much!)
For the weekly pages I give each day a box in the two page spread. It is laid out just like this Nature Jots page but filled with my daily to do lists. This can be easily changed to fit your needs. When I had multiple big projects on the go I broke these boxes into sections for each project, and my personal list.
Over these last few months I have added full page spreads each week for my daily gratitude entries and daily nature notes. While I love the idea of having special journals for these things I know myself well enough now, and have a stack of mostly empty journals to show for the idea that I can’t keep track of too many journals!
I number the pages as I go and have running lists for everything from books I want to read, essential oils I want to order, and quotes I want to remember. I always have it with me so I can easily take notes if I happen to stumble into a talk at the library, or just need to brainstorm some ideas for a project.
That is about it.
It becomes really simple once you start using it, and while I still use my phone calendar to schedule appointments, etc… my bullet journal really is my hub for organization.
Do you keep a bullet journal? What tweaks have you made to the system?
If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comments.
~ Dawn
I have found bullet journalling to be my saving grace. It keeps my mind on the important/urgent things to get done without forgetting about the important yet not urgent things like quality family time. 🙂 It also feels good to check off those tasks! I too, am using each day as a weather reminder, noting the temp and conditions and as a bit of a ‘what we did today’. Love it that way!
It is so easy to make your own by adding what works for you!
I am inspired by your red moleskin! Next time I am going red!
I’ve always been horrible at to-do lists, but with being a stay at home mom now, I find that it would come in handy to find a system that helps keep things straight without me feeling stressed. This sounds right up my alley! Thank you xo
It really is a great system. Let me know if you give it a try, Yanic.
Dawn, thanks for elaborating here. This does seem very intuitive and fits in well with what I’m already doing, but way more organized. I keep lists and such in a journal, but it quickly becomes a mess. You’ve inspired me. Thanks!
I am happy this helped, Lisa! Let me know if you give it a try!
Hi Dawn!
I have started numbering pages in my story journals and life journals and creating an index out of necessity. I needed to be able to refer to ideas, freewriting, or notes later on. I really love this as a kind of planner because it looks more flexible than a traditional planner and I tend to lose lists in regular planners. Like you, outside of writing journals and planners I can’t keep track of or give enough attention to different topic journals. Thanks so much for sharing this. I think it’s just what I need right now. It could certainly handle various adaptations too. I’ll let you know how it works for me.
Great, Shelley!
The index is a stroke of genius, for sure. I have spent countless hours looking through various journals looking for notes I took about something. No more!
Yes, please do let me know how it works for you!
Cool! I’ve never heard of a bullet journal before. It looks interesting (and intimidating)…right now I try to keep all those lists going in my head and on scraps of paper here and there…a system fraught with opportunities for failure. 🙂
I know that scrap paper world!
This is not as intimidating as it looks on the surface. Just leave extra pages in the front for your index and go!
You will love it!
OK! You have me convinced! I need to do this! What kind of journal do you use? Anything goes I’m assuming?
Yay! A grid moleskin works great but I know other people who just use a regular journal. Let me know if you have any questions!
DAWN! So sweet to see your great blog. I love this idea of the bullet journal. Your handwriting is so inspiring and pretty. I used to keep journals all the time and I can’t even imagine keeping one now…which means…it would likely be good for me. ; )
Please pop over to my blog if you like, I am having a CD giveaway! xx
Thanks, Cory! Yes, give the bullet journal a go. It is a sanity saver!
Your music is awesome! I have been loving the songs I have! xx
I really want to try this! I think it will help with this coming learning year. Keep my head on straight! 🙂
You really should give it a go, KC! It is great!