Bullet journaling, the latest organization craze, is every busy writer’s paradise. Ideas and “to-dos” leave the mind swarming, especially when written on multiple sheets of paper or notebooks. Utilizing the bullet journal as an outlet to release all those tedious thoughts in one place will keep your mind focused on what needs to be done. Bullet journaling differs from typical journal entries because it combines the simplicity of daily tasks, lists and tracking logs with creativity. Start out by using these five tips to personalize your bullet journal to fit your preferences.
1. Don’t forget the Index page
When it comes to properly crafting your bullet journal, the most important step is creating an index page. The entire basis of the bullet journaling fad is the organizational aspect, so this step is crucial to keeping your journal in order.
2. Start with something simple
To officially begin your journaling journey, start with a list. In the list, outline what you plan to accomplish in your bullet journal. Will you be tracking your water intake each day or simply writing grocery lists? Laying out your intentions in the paper will act as a reference page if you get stumped in the future.
3. Layout your timeline
If you’re just starting out with bullet journaling, I would not recommend creating monthly spreads. For a beginner, try starting with weekly overviews. Each Sunday, draw a weekly spread leaving enough room to write out school work tasks and non-work related tasks. Every day you can check off what you have finished, while also seeing what is coming up the next few days. Laying out a timeline of your week will help regulate your time management and remind you to take breaks from school work to complete less brain-strenuous tasks.
4. The contents of your bullet journal
The best part about bullet journaling is the content you choose to add inside. Beginners content ranges from documenting a weekend road trip to more creative content like “A Month in Feelings” where each day is a square and you shade it in depending on your mood with the correlating color. The contents of your bullet journal should reflect your daily habits and aspirations, with the intention of organizing your life and completing goals.
5. Aesthetic add-ons
To spice up your journal, fill the pages with memories and keepsakes relating to the topic you are writing about. For instance, if you create a page regarding your spring break trip to the beach, tape a seashell you found or the brochure to the hotel you stayed at on the page. These add-ons are aesthetically pleasing and make for a unique memory holder to look back on later.
A final thought to keep in mind:
Bullet journaling is an organizational tool, a keepsake, and a place for all your pointless doodles. Don’t stress about perfection—utilize the journal as an abstract creative outlet to keep your thoughts in order.
