Lifestyle

The Ultimate Guide to Bullet Journal and Journaling

Getting organized is one of those things that always remains on the top priority pile of everyone.

However, being dedicated towards it doesn’t seem an easy job.

Especially, for people who have a hectic schedule, staying organized and remembering everything usually takes sweats out of their teeth.

Writing a daily to-do list, using a calendar, not taking notes on random scraps of paper, these are some common things anyone wanting to stay organized might probably do.

However, no matter how often you hear this advice or try to execute it, most of you still stare longingly at the perfectly color-coded notebooks of your coworkers.

You keep wondering when you would ever find time to get you organizational act together.

If this sounds familiar to you, then you might want to give bullet journal a try.

The bullet journal system is an effective and well-designed framework for gathering and storing information from a wide range of categories.

It is an organizational craze, which has saturated the news and social media for a while now.

It is like a planner, to-do list, diary, and sketchbook all in one which can definitely make your life better and easier.

Once you put the system to work, your plans of staying organized will be stress-free.

With few minutes, an empty notebook and a few basic steps, anyone can create am organized tool that’s easy and fun to use.

Below are some things you might want to know about bullet journal and journalizing to stay organized forever.

What Actually is Bullet Journal?

The bullet journal is a notebook based organizational system created by Ryder Carroll, a New York based digital product designer.

It is a system that you can use to track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.

Bullet journal and journalizing might sound familiar to a planner with its preprinted pages.

Hence, it might not be a big subject to discuss for you.

However, unlike the regular planner, the system involves taking a blank notebook and creating your own, ever-evolving system with which to keep all aspects of your life organized under one roof.

Once you set up the journal, the process of maintaining it is an adaptable practice meant to be self-curated as you determine what works best for you.

What Can You Use Bullet Journal For?

You might think bullet journal notebook as a waste of time when you have a busy schedule or when you are too lazy to work on it.

However, it’s a very creative and easy way to keep your notes and staying organized.

So, depending on your career and lifestyle, your journal might include a variety of organizing schemes to keep your day-to-day life running.

The beauty of the notebook is that you can make every page suit your current needs.

Later, as your priorities changes, for example you’ve started a new job and want to learn new things, you can transform your journal right along with you.

Additionally, with bullet journal notebook you can even keep track of your deadlines, meetings, and long-term projects so that nothing slips through the track.

You can keep record of new ideas and jot down loose ends that need to be tied.

Also, with the journal you can create calendars, charts, and to-d- lists to stay on top of things for instance, housework, repairs, decorating, and even remodeling.

How Bullet Journal Can Help With Mental Health?

Although the specific mental health benefits of the system is yet to be studied, many claim it to offer plenty of perks.

For instance, bullet journal helps in minimizing distractions for various things and sharpens your creativity as well.

According to Jessy Warner-Cohen, PhD, assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine, “humans are bombarded by stimuli for electronic media, which can be very overstimulating for people.”

Hence, it takes away those distractions and can help you focus on what you want to accomplish.

Bullet journal is more of a multimedia experience that can involve writing, organizing, drawing and painting.

A recent review published in the journal Behavioral Sciences found that creative arts interventions, for instance, drawing and painting, can help to prevent or reduce stress.

Plus, you can specifically use your bullet journal to set and follow through your own mental health goals as well.

How To Start a Bullet Journal?

Gather Your Supplies For Journal

Some bullet journal diehards have supply closets that would make their notebook look exciting.

However, if you are using bullet journal just to stay organized and remember things, you don’t need to raid the local craft store.

All you really need is a blank journal, a pen, and a pencil to write down your notes on bullet journal.

After that, it’s totally up to you, though it’s best to choose one with thick pages and gridded or dotted paper.

Henceforth, shop around and experiment until you find a pen that’s a pleasure to use and notebook that its handy enough to carry everywhere.

Insert Page Numbers and Index

In order to create your first bullet journal, start by numbering each page in the upper or lower corner.

These page numbers are an essential building block for what’s arguably the most important element of bullet journal.

The index is simply tool that enables your  journal to store lots of information.

Every time you add or extend a section of your bullet journal, you’ll record the name and page numbers here.

The index is the fastest and safest way to stay organized which you probably find in any books.

Create a Future Log

One of the best idea to use bullet journal and stay organized is by creating a future log.

You can always set aside four pages and divide each one into three sections.

Then, you can label each section with the name of a month.

The ultimate goal of this section in your bullet journal is to give yourself a way to visualize your month-to-month plans at a glance.

For now, stick to big events and long standing appointments which are extremely necessary to stay organized.

Add Your First Monthly Log

The monthly log gives you a much focused and detailed look at what’s ahead this month.

Write the days of the month vertically on one side of the page.

After that, write down the appointments and plans taking place on that day.

Later, add new events throughout the month as they arise and continue the same pattern.

Start Customizing Your Journal

The best and most fun part of the journal begins when you start customizing the notebook.

Basically, there are three basic structures in bullet journal- future, month, and daily logs.

However, when you start to fill up the notebook, don’t be afraid to experiment.

You can design your own even-labeling system, try color-coding, or play around with decorative lettering.

For instance, you would also want to keep a running list of books you’d like to read or places you’d like to visit.

Star your list on whatever page you want, then record the page number in your index.

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