some thoughts about the bullet journal and how to make it work for you

i have had a love-hate relationship with the concept of the bullet journal since i first heard about it. i, like many other people, thought that i could never make one because i'm "not artistic." however, i was working as a freelancer just as it got popular, and i needed something to organize my life. inspired by the bullet journal, i started keeping EVERYTHING in a notebook, and it changed my entire approach to life and record-keeping.

however, recently-ish, i have been neglecting my bullet journal practice. despite my enthusiasm, i felt like the entire process had way too much pressure surrounding it, so i was avoiding it-- and i was suffering.

let me talk a little bit about what i'm doing now.

what the bullet journal is and is NOT

if you're only a little familiar with the bullet journal, you probably think it has something to do with making beautiful spreads. that is actually a myth! however beautiful bujo instagram feeds may be, artistic talent is NOT a requirement. 

the bullet journal was actually invented by a guy with ADHD (ryder carroll) to manage his life and career. he often found himself losing track of tasks and memories and creative thoughts, so he invented a system for recording them that worked for his brain, and it caught on.

(my roommate said it well: social media took an ADHD accessibility tool and made it hostile to people with ADHD.)

if you find the bullet journal tantalizing but feel like you can't compare to what you see online, don't despair! instead, read (or watch) the descriptions of the system from the creator himself-- the practice is both easy and life-changing. this post is not going to deal with the entirety of how to make a bullet journal, but it will address some key points. if you'd like, you can do some research before finishing reading this.

using the next available page

the entire ethos of the bullet journal is to record as you go. instead of having separate sections for different topics, you just flip to the next blank page. if you need to make a packing list or some other non-diary page (referred to as a collection), you don't need to do anything besides put a heading at the top of the page and add it to your table of contents.

table of contents

one aspect of the bullet journal that can be useful to all notebook and stationery fans is the table of contents. simply make a space for it at the beginning of your notebook and record what the subject and/or date of each page is, numbering the pages as you go. it can be a little tricky to make enough space without counting how many pages are in your notebook and how many lines are on a page, so i have been doing my version: once one contents page fills up, i make another one on the next available page. if this appeals to you, you can look up the concept of "threading," which makes it much easier.

regular review

another aspect of bullet journaling that i find super important is regularly reviewing your entries. i have been trying to do it in the evening, but sometimes it ends up happening the next morning instead. i go through my previous entries and color-code what needs to be color-coded. i have five highlighters for five different categories of entries.

my alterations and additions to the bullet journal method

using the lowest-pressure materials possible

part of my problem during my lull in bullet journaling was that my materials felt fancy and/or required upkeep. i love fountain pens, but having to fill them up with ink would sometimes insert a roadblock into my journal practice. i was also using notebooks that made me too nervous to make a mistake.

now, i am using the most low-pressure materials i can find. what low-pressure means may be different for everyone, but i will detail below ALL the materials i use for bullet journaling.

mixing long-form journaling with bullets and lists

one thing that i do that is not in the official bullet journal method is long-form journaling. usually it's just a paragraph at a time, but my thoughts form AS i am writing and not before, so sometimes it's good to write in full sentences while i figure out what's happening in my brain.

stationery i use

i am against consumerism, especially in the bullet journal sphere, and will stand by my assertion that all you need to start a bullet journal is ANY notebook and ANY writing utensil. however, it is true that there are some tools that will make your bullet journaling experience genuinely easier or better, so i am going to detail what tools i use in my practice.

cheap composition notebooks

my notebook of choice now is cheap, bulk composition notebooks. it's true that they are not as sturdy as more expensive notebooks, but i go through them fast enough that it's not that much of a problem. i also like having the larger pages, which many people would find controversial-- there are lots of pocket notebook fans out there. however, i carry a backpack almost everywhere i go, so carrying a composition notebook in it is not a problem.

zebra sarasa pens

i know i just said i use the most low-pressure materials possible, but i splurged a little on slightly more expensive pens. cheap pens increase my blood pressure, now that i've been spoiled by fountain pens, so i got something that dries fast and seldom skips but doesn't need to be regularly refilled.

tabs

i use stick-on tabs to mark where in my notebook a new month begins, just to make the expanse of pages a little less overwhelming to look back through. frustratingly, the tabs i bought don't take ink well at all (not even sharpie) so i am not going to recommend them.

star stickers

it is REALLY important to me to instill in myself a sense of accomplishment when i do something right-- in fact, it's one of the primary self-improvement processes. therefore, when i meet BOTH of my two daily goals, i give myself a star sticker in my bullet journal. i got very cheap but very fun holographic/rainbow star stickers from amazon. they're a medium size that makes them noticeable without taking over a page.

muji highlighters

like i said above, i do daily reviews and color-code my entries so they're easier to look back on later, so i got a highlighter set of five markers that boasts that they don't smear. they make good on their promise! the brand is muji, and while i wish they had purple in their set too, i'm happy with my purchase!

one single paper clip

i use a star/moon-shaped paper clip to mark my current page in my journal.

the progress i'm seeing in myself

since i got back into bullet journaling, i am seeing slow but steady improvements in my life. let's talk about what a bullet journal practice can do for you.

executive function

if you lose track of tasks, memories, or appointments, the bullet journal is for you. the practice of recording your thoughts often includes things that are traditionally considered "productive," increasing your "success." this matters more to some people than others, but it can be a life-saver in regards to your quality of life and stress levels.

less screen time

i have been trying to reduce my time on my phone. i don't think screens are inherently bad and paper is inherently better, but MY relationship with my phone is NOT one that feels happy or fulfilling. i am often (compulsively) scrolling or (compulsively) sharing all my thoughts, rather than experiencing things on the internet in a way that makes my life better. i am still on my phone a lot, but when my bullet journal is added to the equation, my habit feels more intentional.

mindfulness & calm

increasing my executive function and decreasing my screen time have led to more feelings of calm and mindfulness. instead of reaching for my phone, i am reaching for my notebook, which is less invasive to my brain and often more effective for what i'm trying to accomplish.

a note of caution

if you decide to bullet journal, and if you decide to ever leave the house with your notebook, PLEASE keep in mind that you could lose it. don't write down your bank passwords or your deepest darkest secrets. put your name and phone number inside the cover.

that's all! feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments!