Do you know about Bullet Journals yet? If you’re into self-organization trends, you probably do. That is to say, you probably heard about them way back in 2016 or so, when The Bullet Journal was an actual trend. Now it’s been long enough that it’s no longer trending, per se, but has settled firmly into Fad History. (That’s when I like to write about things – when there are no cutting edges left whatsoever.) But there are lots of people who have kept up with the Bullet Journal, including me, probably for reasons similar to mine.
I first heard of Bullet Journals from my husband Sean, whose source was the OG Bullet Journal guy, who made this video:
If you watch the video, you will see that Ryder has very specific methods to organize his life, and they make a lot of sense. Organizing your To-Dos so that you know your priorities and can also keep track of what will need to get done later. His system is pretty streamlined and very functional. (I can see why Sean was immediately attracted to the whole idea – especially because he loves a good notebook. So do I, in fact.)
If you were to go on Pinterest and search up Bullet Journal, you would be presented with gorgeous and intimidating shit like this:
Wow. Splendid, in the most Pinterest-y way. These Bullet Journals are beautiful and interesting, full of insights into live/laugh/love culture. And I am all for folks using their “BuJos” to make whatever priorities they want come true. There are a lot of great ideas out there, small and creative ways to make one’s life more mindful or hydrated or financially responsible. I especially love the colours and pretty drawings.
But I could never actually DO this. When I see these images, my first thought is, Who has time for this level of artistry? How long did that adorable plant-filled bookshelf take you to ink out? When exactly did you perfect your scrapbook-worthy hand-drawn font?? (If I sound envious… I absolutely am. But I just can’t set my bar this high.)
Why my Bullet Journal makes my life better
For me, my Bullet Journal is about LISTS. I freaking love lists. I have been making overambitious to-do lists since at least high school. (I remember a phase where I used to write my to-dos on my hand, and my boyfriend would sigh sadly when he saw it.) Before that, when I was homeschooled, I can remember having a “checklist” for my morning tasks (brushing my hair, washing my face, etc.), in the form of a little booklet with self-illustrated cards I could transfer from the “to do” pocket to the “done” pocket. Even my sister Beth’s and my “unique cleaning process” for our shared bedroom was really a glorified checklist.
Also, I relate much better to a list that I write by hand than any list I could make digitally. It doesn’t matter whether it’s in an organizational app or just as a phone-note; when I look at a digital list, it doesn’t feel stable to me. I just want to put it down on the desk and make it be still and solid. It’s the same with most documents, actually – I’ve read a few books on my phone, and I do not like it. I’ve learned to read articles and curriculum documents that way, but I usually wish I didn’t have to (though I appreciate the paper savings). And writing by hand makes me feel calm and steady.
So, for a gal who loves lists and covets notebooks, what could be a more perfect idea than one notebook where ALL my lists are cuddled safely together?? It’s the best. It makes me feel safe, because my lists are safe. Nothing gets lost.
I don’t know what it says about me, psychologically, that I have such an attachment to lists. I seem to be naturally forgetful, so in my mind that’s the main thing. And I aspire, every day of every year, to be organized. Which also doesn’t come naturally, but I’ve managed to practice organization to the point that I can maintain my job, family responsibilities, and hobbies with a decent level of success. (It helps a lot that my kids, at 10 and 13, are pretty independent.)
My Personal Bullet Journal Hacks
I completed my first Bullet Journal over the course of 2017. At the time, I did exactly what Ryder recommended, and haven’t strayed too much from it. I have, however, figured out a few things about what I need and prefer when it comes to my own sacred Book of Lists. Here is a li’l list with – you guessed it – bullets:
- I use one Moleskine per year. Lined (heaven preserve me from teeny squares, or even worse, BLANK), 240 pages. The first one had quite a few pages left over at the end of the year, but last year I used almost all of them.
- I use Ink Joy pens in multiple colours, two contrasting colours per month. I used to use any colour any time, as long as they contrasted, but frankly, it was the Wild West back then! I shudder to remember. Then I had one year where I used only two colours (turquoise and brown, to go with the pale mint notebook). Then Sean suggested that I could choose a specific combination for each month, so that I could easily see where the months changed. Brilliant! I’ve never looked back. Some colour combos are thematic (see Oct, Dec); some are designed as pick-me-ups in gloomy months (see Feb, Nov).
- My orientation pages are as follows:
- As I always begin my Bullet Journal on January 1st, page 1 is a short list of reminders to myself for doing what’s important in life. My list for 2023 has thirteen items, including “Eat simple food”, “Be in Nature”, and “Go to bed”. I re-read it when I feel scattered.
- Page 2 is my Future Log – only one page. I don’t use it that much, because I use my monthly to-dos for kinda long-term things.
- Page 3 is “Colours”, shown above.
- Pages 4-5 are my Table of Contents, aka Index (I don’t usually use all of both pages).
- From there I go to Monthly and Daily Logs.
- I have symbols that differ a bit from Ryder’s. I do use Xs to show completed items, but I found that my arrows looked too much like Xs so I use semi-circles around the bullets for the items I’m migrating to the next day. They look like tiny fish heads, or boobs.
- I made up a new symbol for when I want to migrate something to the next weekend (a two-part circle/arrow). Sometimes even with unbridled optimism, you know that you are not going to complete that thing.
- When something fun happens on a day, I write it beside the list and put a little cloud bubble around it in the opposite colour. When I leaf back through, I can easily see the special stuff.
- Sometimes I commit a page or several to something that needs more space, like a workshop or a trip. Sometimes I even forego bullets and write in full sentences, like in my old diary days.
- I have ongoing lists that I include whenever they crop up (as in the video) and then add to the Table of Contents. Examples include: Books I’ve Read This Year, playlists in progress, Oscar predictions, House Projects, and logs to keep track of my workouts.
- At the end of the year, if I have any small keepsakes that I deem worthy, I will glue them onto extra pages, or tuck them into the handy-dandy pocket that Moleskines possess.
And that’s the solution to the angst I used to feel about my lists, which, in my old life, I regularly misplaced, and which never seemed to encompass what I needed them to. My Bullet Journal is like the backpack that holds everything, but for my brain.
Do I still forget things, or double-book myself, or lose track of a thread? Yes. I did it just the other day. But not too often, and way way less frequently than I did when, say, I had babies/toddlers. It’s my way of fighting back that Mama brain.
Are you convinced? Try it y’self! Or even better, do you already do this?? I’d love to know if any Di-hards are already on this wagon!
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I love the idea of the cloud bubbles of special stuff! I write lists, lots of lists, and then they go in the garbage when completed. I like the idea of looking back at the end of the year and seeing exactly how much I’ve accomplished, even the simple things like water the plants. Especially those, it’s the repetition of all the little care taking things that gets lost but means
so much.
You’re so right! I like to put those little things on my lists too, because they are no less important for being small, recurring tasks. That’s us being the glue of our households!
I always had high hopes for my planner that I faithfully bought each year (after carefully scrutinizing each option on the rack), but it never really worked for me once I was done being a student. An empty lined book was even worse because I dreaded the idea of exposing my feelings and thoughts. But I stumbled across the Bullet Journal in April 2022, and it was a lightbulb moment. I could combine a journal of what happened every day with a list of things to do, while tracking projects and habits, all in one place with no wasted pages. So I dove in and started my first Bujo: drew calendars, added birthdays and holidays, future log, habit trackers, started collections, began a monthly and daily log, and started filling up the index. But I admit, I felt very discouraged after watching many talented people showing off their spreads on YouTube. What got me back on track was the happy accident of finding Ryder’s book at the library. Reading that book helped reinforce the idea that the bullet journal is whatever YOU need it to be, that it can change as your needs require (and reminded me that the Bullet Journal all began with just a notebook and pen). But perhaps the most important take-away was to take the time to read what you had written, and reflect. Reflect on: is that item you’re about to migrate for the third time really that important, did that habit tracker motivate you or make you feel defeated, are the things you’re doing daily/monthly getting you closer to your goal? The reflection helps me feel less like the days are just slipping by, and more like I am giving importance to the things that really matter to me and my family right now.
Diana, I remember your many lists on post-it notes and scraps of paper. I like picturing your bullet journal as a backpack where your “lists are cuddled safely together”. Cute, and accurate.
Thanks for your comment, Leslie! I love reading your Bujo story. I am also attracted to the “no wasted pages” idea (along with the other advantages, as discussed). It figures that an actual book at the actual library got you back on track – how appropriately analog!
That’s a really good point about the reflecting, as well. I’m not the greatest at that; sometimes I think I’m probably saving to-dos that I shouldn’t prioritize. But it’s kind of like my physical life – I have to fight the hoarding instinct, ha. But I feel the same about the days slipping by – it’s good to see where my time went, and what progress I’ve actually made.
Haha, I remember my scrappy little lists too – separate from my day planner – and I don’t know how I managed to keep track of them!! I’m very glad to have converted my lifestyle.
Nice hearing from you! I hope your Bullet Journal continues to whatever you need it to be.