Journaling can be a burden. There is a constant obligation to write in-depth about every single thing that happened, and to fill up pages and pages of a book. Journaling can start to feel like a chore, and because of this, many people are turned away from it. Bullet journaling, however, is a whole different experience. This method makes journaling enjoyable again, and has numerous benefits.
As many people have, I’ve picked up a brand-new journal multiple times, telling myself that, for real, I am going to fill it up. These efforts have burned out every time. However, once I started bullet journaling, the book is actually filled. Bullet journaling has a different set-up than standard journaling, and brings feelings of peace and organization.
Bullet journaling has a fantastic setup. The writer records in a notation called “bullets,” which are a few to-the point sentences that help the writer log entries quickly. In front of every log entry, the writer puts a symbol. Symbols are personal drawings or figures the writer creates to represent different categories, like tasks that need to get done, important events that happened, sports, etc. For instance, if the writer chose their sports symbol to be a baseball and just had sports practice, then on the left hand side, they could draw a baseball, and next to that symbol, they’d write about the practice. This helps to efficiently organize your entries. And if the writer feels they need to write more, they can log it, then write in-depth on the next page. In addition to symbols, the writer separates each month with a calendar page, which is a two-page spread of a hand-drawn calendar with numbers and days, a monthly task page, goals, and anything the writer would like to add. Bullet journaling has a personalized style that regular journaling doesn’t have. And, when the writer looks back on their bullet journal, they’ll clearly see what they did that day in an organized way that is both simplistic and satisfying.
Currently, I am in the middle of my second bullet journal. The first one I had wasn’t very “artistic.” The pages were filled with black ballpoint pen. The second one currently has different designs, watercolor, decorative tapes, and pretty borders. Both were equally rewarding. The first one focused only on the symbols and the writing, and it gave a feeling of accomplishment to see it all plainly beautiful and complete. For this second one, I decided to make the calendar more bright, and I put more effort into the designs of the pages. It is rewarding to see aesthetically-pleasing pages that make me happy. There is no wrong way to bullet journal. You can fill the pages with one color, adding a simplistic effect, or you can mix your writing with decorative layouts. The bullet journal is your own and unique to you.
If you decide to go the decorative way, don’t be fooled by bullet journal designs you may find online. These are only photos of the very best design the creator drew, and most likely took a long time; don’t force yourself to make your bullet journal look as nice as theirs. The journal is your own, and it won’t feel personal if you go farther than you want to and create as if someone is constantly judging your work.
Bullet journaling is also very peaceful. It is recommended to spend at least five minutes a day in the morning and at night with your bullet journal. At night, it can be very therapeutic to sit in comfortable surroundings and write without feeling pressured. Whether you are writing about your day, setting up a calendar page, or decorating borders, it’s actually quite calming to have that time to yourself after a frustrating day at high school.
This method of journaling is also beneficial for goal-setting. In your bullet journal, you could record your personal goals, along with any goals you may have in school, business, and sports. You could even create a symbol to represent goals, so it is very easy to clearly see them laid out. The bullet journal becomes your own place for thoughts. Some people choose to have monthly goals, and they create a special section on their calendar spread for this to remind them.
Bullet journaling differs strongly from standard journaling. Bullet journaling is about the concept of not feeling forced to write in-depth about everything. As opposed to traditional journaling, there are bullets that are personally categorized by symbols. Bullet journaling does not feel like a chore, and is very peaceful. You gain a sense of self-awareness of goals and your time, and there is no wrong way to bullet journal. If you decide to begin bullet journaling, I recommend you begin with the Leuchtturm 1917 Bullet Journal. Found at Barnes and Noble locally and online, it is equipped with a tutorial on getting started. Find a pen you like, and begin recording your life in a way that is both organized and enjoyable.