A recent Dollar Store trip inspired me to start a Bullet Journal. See my Dollarma Haul here.
It was light a light bulb went off in my head. It makes perfect sense. I love to write things down, make lists, and keep track of, well, just about everything. Instead of having strictly a “journal” to write summaries of my days and feelings I would rather have one big book of everything. Also, since I love notebooks and pens it gives me a good use for the ones I have and it inspires me to buy more (lol).
The first day I journaled, I looked up ideas on Pinterest and jotted them down for future reference, along with my own page ideas. I looked over different designs people have made for their journal elements, became slightly overwhelmed at one point, and decided to just do it my own way. As it stands now I have full 2 sheet spreads for each day. I have the date written in full (Wednesday, May 17, 2017), and ultimately each day consists of 3 lists:
- To-do
- What I ate Today
- What I did Today
Under To-do I write down any appointments, chores, or errands that need to be done. Some I write ahead of time to keep on top of things such as laundry or that therapy appointment I go to twice a month. Other things just pop up as I go about my day and I write them down. When something does get done I mark it with a checkmark. Things that I don’t get to I either cross out completely or make a note that I didn’t do it (if it is something that needs to be done i.e. an important phone call… I hate talking on the phone).
Under What I ate Today I like to try to keep a list of what I have consumed. I don’t keep caloric score by any means but I do like to log what I am eating and how much I am (or am not) consuming of this or that. I keep track of how many coffees and teas I take in because I do find that more then one coffee makes me anxious by evening.
What I did Today is where I do summarize my day but in short, quick, bullet form. No long winded explanations needed. For that I have my actual journal (currently sitting unused but available nonetheless).
In between these spreads I leave a blank spread for whatever other list I might feel the need to make. Or in case I need more room for daily jot-downs.
I am finding Bullet Journaling to be somewhat of a therapeutic activity. I can escape into my own little world of planning and brainstorming. It is helping me to organize myself and my thoughts… and keep track of what the hec I am doing with my 2 google accounts … (still frustrated if you read my last post). I want to get another one that fits in my purse so I can write out blogs or blog ideas when they come to me (instead of thinking oh I will do that AS SOON AS I GET HOME… inevitably forget and now I have a backlog of over 20 blogs I want to write – not a bad thing per say- overwhelming though).
I am still using the Erin Condren planner I bought almost a year ago, but, truth be told, I was actually using that as a bit of a bullet journal all along. In fact, I have been bullet journaling most of my life and did not even realize it! As always I am late to the party but I am indeed here and enjoying it anyways. Even on days when I don’t feel like doing anything I can at least feel like I am organized. I can also look back at all the days and weeks that I did actually fulfil tasks and run errands and not only pat myself on the back but also reassure myself that I again, will be happy and busy.
So far (in the 2 or so weeks that I have been [actively] bullet journaling), I have been able to clear the “clutter in my head” and focus on what I really want, need, and desire out of life. I have rekindled an old hobby (which is painting). And I have come to the decision that I need to move. Again.
This is not to say that I would not have some to these conclusions without the journaling, I am sure I would have gotten there… eventually. I just feel that through making lists, planning days, brainstorming, and really just taking time to think, I am taking notice of things and I am realizing I want to change them.
iDREAMinViNTAGE 